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© St. Petersburg Times, published April 13, 2002
CLEARWATER -- Beginning Monday, Clearwater Public Utilities will conduct smoke tests to identify leaks in city sewer pipes.
Smoke testing is performed by circulating smoke through the sewer pipes and is used to locate holes and cracks, as well as illegal connections between storm and roof drains and the sewer system.
During the tests, smoke may enter houses and buildings through defective plumbing or drains that are not frequently used and exit from vent pipes on the roofs of houses and buildings. There is no need to be alarmed, said Public Works Administrator Mahshid Arasteh. The smoke is nontoxic, leaves no residue, does not create a fire hazard and presents no health hazard, she said.
To prevent smoke from entering your home or business, you can pour approximately 1 gallon of water in seldom-used drains or sinks when testing begins in your area. The testing, which will take three months, will start in East Clearwater, north of Drew Street and south of Enterprise Road, between U.S. 19 and McMullen Booth Road. Crews will progress west, concluding in the Island Estates neighborhood.
For information, call the Clearwater Public Utilities Department at 562-4960, extension 7224. A door hanger will be used to notify residents 48 hours before testing.
There will be testing every year for the next five years until Clearwater's entire Wastewater Collection System has been checked.