The City of Athens will be conducting smoke testing throughout the city beginning Tuesday November 21st through December 8th from 8am-4pm. The testing is being conducted as part of efforts to identify and develop plans to reduce storm water entry into the sanitary sewer system. The smoke used in this process is non-toxic, non-staining, has no odor, is white to gray in color and creates no fire hazard. When testing is being conducted, a dense grayish/white smoke is blown through the sanitary sewers from a manhole. The smoke travels the sanitary sewer line and may appear coming from the ground, roof drains, catch basins, house vent stacks or foundation drains connected to the system. Smoke coming from the ground, catch basins and other parts of the storm water system help to identify the location of defects in the sanitary sewer line. Residents should be aware that the appearance of smoke coming from house vent stacks is normal, or expected.
Questions or concerns may be directed to the City of Athens Engineering and Public Works Department, 740-593-7636.