Update: Crews will continue smoke testing sewers in Davenport, Iowa through the end of September.
Smoke testing was scheduled to begin September 10 south and west of Eastern Avenue Park.
More smoke testing was expected the week of September 17. The testing is expected to be completed September 28.
Original story September 5, 2012:
Crews will use smoke to test the efficiency of Davenport sewers south and west of Eastern Avenue Park the week of September 10, 2012.
Workers will physically inspect sanitary sewers and use a mixture of smoke and air to locate defects in the sewer system .
Notices will be sent to residents and hang tags will be put on the doors of homes and businesses within the smoke testing area.
Smoke won’t enter homes in the area unless those homes have defective plumbing or dried up drain traps.
Residents can avoid smoke entering their homes by pouring water into seldom-used drains to fill the trap. That’s a good routine practice anyway, since a drain trap filled with water also prevents sewer gases from entering the building or home.
If smoke from the testing gets into your home, it means the potential also exists for sewer gases to enter your home.
“The smoke is non-toxic, harmless and creates no fire hazard,” said a spokesperson for the city of Davenport.
The testing is being done by RJN of Wheaton, Illinois. Crews conducting the testing and inspections might have to access manholes or sewer lines in back yards, but crews will not need to enter your home or business.
