Smoke tests planned for Hope sewers on Friday

Crews will be testing for leaks in the Hope sewer system on Friday, in the Goshen Meadows and LIberty Place neighborhoods. Part of that testing will be blowing white smoke through the system, so they can see any leaks. 

Town Manager J.T. Doane stresses that the white-grey smoke is non-toxic, non-staining and has little to no odor. There is no fire hazard and the smoke should not enter your home. It will emit from vent stacks and from holes in the ground, revealing exits in the sewer system. 

To prevent smoke from entering your home, you should make sure that you do not have an dried-out drain traps. Homeowners should pour  a gallon of water into any floor drain prior to the testing. 

If it does enter your home, that could be a sign that you may have defective plumbing, which could regularly be venting toxic sewer gases into your home. If you see smoke in your home, you should evacuate the premises and notify work crews. If you are not home and discover smoke when you return, call Hope Town Hall at the number below.

Doane says that some sewer lines and manholes are located in property easements and backyards. Whenever these lines require investigation, members of the inspection crew will need access to the property. Homeowners do not need to be present and the workers do not need to enter your home.

If there is any individual in your home or business who has respiratory problems and is immobile, you should notify town officials at  (812) 546-0423, prior to testing.

The work is dependent on the weather. If there is inclement weather on Friday, the testing will be moved to July 27.