Residents Could Find Homes Smoky During City Test

Where there's smoke there's not always fire. It just might be a private contractor blowing smoke through Ames sewer pipes.

Veenstra & Kimm, Inc of West Des Moines, and two other firms hired by the city, plan to blow smoke through all city-owned and operated sanitary sewer lines soon.

During smoke testing people will see field crews blowing air and smoke into the sanitary sewer system and monitoring for breaks in the line by looking for smoke.

If smoke seeps up through the ground it indicates a break in the line. Residents might also see smoke in their homes during the tests and that could indicate plumbing problems. However, crews won't enter homes unless they are asked. The smoke is non toxic and should not endanger residents or pets. A notice from the city said residents who find smoke in their homes should open the windows and allow the smoke to dissipate.

Information gathered from the test will be used to reduce groundwater and storm water flow into the sanitary system. A video inspection is also part of the study.

A public meeting will be held on this study at 5:30 p.m. April 3 at City Council Chambers at . The formal presentation begins at 6 p.m.

Learn more about the study at the City's website.