City of Kearney to smoke test sewer mains in airport area

The City of Kearney Utilities Department will be conducting a leak test on the sanitary sewer system on July 15, 2020 in airport vicinity, weather permitting. A non-toxic smoke will be blown into the system to reveal leaks that allow storm water and other surface waters to enter. Locating and correcting leaks will conserve expensive capacity at the treatment facility.

All leaks will be recorded for future corrective repairs.

The smoke manufactured specifically for this purpose, leaves no residual or stains and has no effects on plants or animals. It has a distinctive, but not unpleasant odor. The visible smoke and odor should last only a few minutes if there is adequate ventilation.

The smoke should not enter your building; if this does occur, any of the following could be the cause:

• The vents connected to your building’s sewer lateral are inadequate, defective, or improperly

installed

• The traps under sinks, tubs, basins, showers, floor drain, etc. are dry, defective, improperly installed or missing.

• The pipes, connections, and seals of the building’s system are damaged, defective, have plugs missing, or improperly installed.

During the week prior to July 15, 2020, pour water down ALL drains in your buildings to ensure that traps are full.

If traces of the smoke or its odor enter your building, it is an indication that odor from the sewer system may also be entering. This can be unpleasant, dangerous, and a potential health hazard. The location, identification, and correction of the source of any smoke entering your building is urgently advised.

The City of Kearney’s Utilities Department can aid in locating the sanitary sewer service entering your building; however, correction of any defects in the pipes and sewer on private property is the responsible of the owner. If smoke is observed in your building and the source is not readily identified, or if you have any questions, please call (308) 233-3268.