See Smoke? It's the City Testing Sewer Lines

To improve sewer service, the City of Bradenton will be smoke testing the sanitary sewer lines in certain areas of the City starting Tuesday.

This test, which involves forcing smoke into the sanitary sewer lines, will check for leaks, breaks and defects in the system. The smoke is odorless, creates no fire hazard, and should not enter homes or businesses unless there is defective plumbing or dried-up sink traps or floor drains.

People who live in the areas listed below are advised to contact the city if they suffer serious heart or lung conditions. The number is (941) 708-6300.

The test will be from 8-4 p.m. daily starting Tuesday in the following areas:

1.) Lift Stations 2, 16, 13

This area is bordered on the north by the Manatee River to the south along 11th Avenue East between 17th Street East and 26th Street East.

2.) Lift Station 27 River Isles Subdivision

Chinaberry Drive, Joyce Drive, Fern Drive area

3.) Lift Stations 22, 25

This area is bordered on the north by 17th Avenue West to the south along 24th Avenue West between 34th Street West to 43rd Street West

4.) Lift Station 26

Bordered on the north by 11th Avenue West to the south along 17th Avenue West between 51st Street West to 59th Street West

5.) Lift Station 7

Bordered on the north by Manatee Avenue West to the south along 17th Avenue West between 14th Street West to 30th Street West

6.) Lift Station 10

Bordered on the north by 3rd Avenue West to the south by 8th Avenue West between 1st Street West to 8th Street West 

The smoke test should only affect the house for approximately 15 minutes during this time period. The smoke used for this test is manufactured for this purpose and leaves no residuals or stains and has no effect on plants and animals. Direct contact with the smoke may cause minor respiratory irritation in some people.

If people in your building suffer from a heart condition, asthma, emphysema, or some other respiratory condition and are planning to stay in the building during testing, notify the City Of Bradenton Utilities between the hours of 7:00am – 4:00pm at (941) 708-6300.

If you know of anyone in your area who has special needs or who may suffer a heart, lung, or breathing problem or a shift worker, please notify the City at the above number prior to testing.

Homeowners do not need to be present and workers will not enter your home or disturb your property.

Prior to testing, please pour 2 gallons of water in the seldom-used sinks or floor drains to prevent sewer gases, smoke or odors from entering the premises. If smoke does enter your home during testing, immediately remove yourself from the building and notify the crews that are conducting the test or call the City (941-708-6300) because it is an indication of a plumbing defect, so you should also notify a plumber.

Smoke that you will see coming from the vent stacks on houses is normal. However, smoke coming from holes in the grounds is not normal and is considered a defect. All such defects will be photographed and logged. The City will contact property owners if a defect is located on private property.

The smoke testing will be conducted in the area on the dates listed below. 

For more information, call Bradenton Public Works & Utilities at (941) 708-6300.