Contractors for the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government’s Division of Water Quality will be conducting sanitary sewer smoke testing, inspections and repairs the week of March 19-23.
A team of technicians will create and inject a non-toxic white smoke into sanitary sewer system manholes. In a system that’s working properly, the smoke harmlessly exits a home or business via the vent pipes on a home’s or business’s roof. If a sewer pipe is cracked or broken, smoke will be seen coming from a crack in the ground. If there’s an improper connection, the smoke will appear from building roof drains or gutters, sump pumps, yard drains or other cross-connections.
Citizens in the test area are urged NOT to call 9-1-1 if they see smoke coming from the vent pipes of a nearby building during the testing period. In those areas, calls about smoke coming from vent pipes should be directed to the non-emergency number at the fire department – (859) 231-5600.
All homes in the testing area will be notified via a “door hangar” card a day or two before the testing. Even though the smoke is non-toxic, persons with heart problems, emphysema or other breathing issues, confined invalids, sleeping shift workers or those who keep pets locked in a basement should take special precautions during the testing days.
Homeowners with basement drains are encouraged to make sure that their drains have water in the trap device so that the smoke does not enter the basement. This can be done simply by pouring a gallon of water into the drain.
Any property that is identified as having an improper sanitary sewer connection will be notified by the Division of Water Quality. In most cases, defects or improper connections on private property are the responsibility of the property owner to repair. Homeowners and business owners are required to provide access to property for the inspection process to occur.
Neighborhood signage should provide the phone contact, or call LexCall at 3-1-1 or (859) 425-2255 for more information. The technicians will record defects for further analysis and repair as required.
Streets include:
Athens Boonesboro Road
Blue Sky Pkwy
Cutters Hill Court
Jo Marrs Street
KASP Court
Kingpost Court
Swanton Drive
United Court