Upcoming sewer smoke testing – Idylwyld Crescent, Monday October 16
People using, residing on, or working on Idylwyld Crescent may notice a white smoke coming from their roofs and on their property next Monday, October 16. The City’s sewer maintenance staff will use a non-toxic liquid smoke to identify weak points in the sanitary system. Impacted residents are advised to be home throughout testing if possible.
The oil-based smoke product mimics the properties of invisible sewer gases. It will be poured into the sanitary sewer manholes in the street and tracked as it follows the pipes to identify weak points or small openings where contaminants could enter.
While the test is being carried out thick, white smoke will be visible exiting from the vent stacks and rooftop drains on houses, yard drains tied to the sewer system, and from any holes or cracks in the contained area. It is possible for the smoke to enter a home through rarely used drain traps or old plumbing. To prevent this, residents and businesses in the testing area have been advised to run water into all drains for one minute the morning of the testing.
The smoke itself is an odourless, oil-based product that appears thick and white when activated. It is a non-toxic material that has been safely used for testing and simulations for more than 25 years in Saskatoon and other municipalities.