July , 2008
The Town of Cary's Public Works & Utilities Department will be conducting leak tests of the sanitary sewer system in your area by forcing smoke into the lines. This year's testing is scheduled to begin in late August 2008. This smoke will help locate places where storm and other surface waters are entering the Town's sewers as well as reveal sources of sewer odors. Leak testing is part of our continuing effort to provide a safe, economical, efficient, and environmentally sound sewer system throughout Cary.
While most residents will never see or smell the smoke, the Town wants you to have as much information as possible about the testing. A special non-toxic smoke will be used in these leak tests. The smoke is manufactured for this purpose and, therefore, leaves no residuals or stains and has no effect on plants and animals. The smoke has a distinctive, but not unpleasant odor. In the unlikely event that you should have direct contact with the smoke, you may experience some minor irritation of the respiratory passages. These problems last only a few minutes where there is adequate ventilation.
If traces of the smoke or its odor enter your house or building, it is an indication that gases and odors from the sewer also may enter. Evidence of smoke in your house during the smoke testing should be immediately reported to the Public Works and Utilities Department testing crew and to your plumber. Location, identification, and correction of the source of smoke entering your house are strongly recommended. While the Town's Public Works and Utilities Department will render all possible assistance, the correction of any defects in the pipes and sewer on private property is the responsibility of the owner.
Leak testing smoke may enter your house if:
• Vents connected
to your building's sewer pipe are inadequate, defective, or improperly
installed; or
• Traps under sinks, tubs, basins, showers and other drains are
dry, defective, improperly installed or missing; or
• Pipe, connections and seals of the wastewater drain system in
and under your building are damaged, defective, have plugs missing,
or are improperly installed.
This year's tests will occur over several weeks. However, the actual testing in your neighborhood may last only a few minutes. We will provide notice 24 hours before testing is scheduled in your neighborhood. When you receive this notice, we suggest that you run water into all drains for one minute, especially those used infrequently.
If your property is not owner-occupied, we ask that you help us by forwarding this important information to anyone living or working there. If you have any questions, or desire more information, please call (919) 469-4090 during regular office hours ( 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. ), or visit our website anytime at www.townofcary.org.