IMPORTANT (72 Hour) NOTICE

Please Read!!!

Dekalb County Department of Watershed Management

Notice to Residents
Smoke Testing of Sewer Lines

Dekalb County Department of Watershed Management is performing smoke tests in your neighborhood to identify locations where rainwater or surface water can enter the sanitary sewer system. These locations are of concern because unwanted flows in the sewer can reduce valuable capacity and substantially increase costs to operate the sewer system. Therefore, the department has contracted with Reynolds Inliner, LLC who has subcontracted Superior Contract Services amd Q Solutions, Inc. to perform this work.

The principal test used to identify these concerns requires blowing white smoke into the sewer lines and noting any location where smoke escapes from the sewer system. In most cases, smoke may be visible under the house, in the basement, through any cracks in the foundation, or roof vents. If smoke is visible in any of these areas you should contact your plumber to check your P-Traps. Also, open windows and doors for about 20-30 minutes to ventilate the house of smoke. Smoke coming from roof leader, yard drains, sewer ditches, or catch basins indicates an improper connection to the sanitary sewer.

Under normal circumstances, and if your plumbing works properly, the smoke used to conduct the tests will not enter your home. In most instances where smoke does enter a house, it is through drains that are not frequently used. For this reason, we request that you run water for a couple of minutes or so through all of your drains, particularly floor drains or unused showers, to ensure that all traps are full of water.

The smoke used in testing appears white or gray and has a slight odor similar to burning paper. It is not a fire hazard, leaves no residue, will not damage food, and is NON-TOXIC. Minor throat irritation may result if it is inhaled repeatedly. Persons with respiratory conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, or emphysema should not be exposed to smoke of any kind. If such a person or anyone impaired with respect to sight or mobility lives in your home, please contract us so that we can provide assistance if necessary.

We appreciate your cooperation. Smoke testing is an important “tool” used in the evaluation and repair of sanitary sewer lines and will result in substantial savings to DeKalb County and its taxpayers. Should you have any questions regarding the smoke testing, please contact Kenny Mincey (DeKalb County Watershed Management) at 678-758-5104 and 770-724-1478 or Harold Marcone (Superior Pipeline Services) at 678-793-0873.

Please note that this notice is merely an attempt to make all residents aware and there is no reason to be concerned during this process.