Smoke Testing

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Smoke testing is a cost-effective method to find defects that contribute infiltration and inflow (I&I) in a sanitary sewer system. Using high powered smoke blowers, a mixture of air and non-toxic smoke is forced through the system. Where smoke is visibly seen leaving the system, those locations are documented as potential I&I sources.

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Smoke testing is necessary to find deficiencies in the sanitary sewer system that allow infiltration and inflow (I&I) into the sanitary sewer system, contributing to sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs), basement backups (BBs), the loss of sewer system capacity and increasing costs for wastewater conveyance and treatment. The impact of this work is expected to have minimal disruption for residents and will provide benefit for all sewer system users.