Nov 5, 2002 2 min read

BROWNSVILLE – If you see smoke coming out of your sewer vent today, don’t be alarmed. The Brownsville Municipal Authority and Fayette Engineering will be smoke testing the sewer lines from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. today. The smoke testing is being done to help the authority locate leaky sewer lines, faulty connections and lost manholes. The effort is being undertaken to help eliminate combined sewer overflows during heavy rainstorms. The smoke testing will help to determine where runoff is entering the system.

Residents are urged to pour water down all of the drains in their homes or buildings to ensure that there is water in the U-bend sewer traps prior to the smoke testing.

According to the authority, smoke may enter houses with faulty sewer connections, but residents should not be alarmed. The smoke is non-toxic, non-staining and free of oil and colored particles. It does not create a fire hazard. Opening windows and doors will cause the smoke to dissipate.

The smoke may cause minor irritation of the respiratory passages and people with asthma, emphysema and other respiratory problems should contact the authority to discuss your situation in detail.

If traces of smoke or odors enter your home or building, it could be an indication that sewer gases may also be entering the building. Smoke in your house or building should be reported immediately to the Brownsville Municipal Authority at 724-785-4436 and your plumber should also be contacted. The authority strongly recommends that the location of the smoke entering the house be identified and corrected, though such repairs are at the expense of the property owner.

The municipal authority office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.