Attention Abe's Landing and Gemstone Estates (northern section) residents: beginning next week (Aug. 26), a City contractor will be "smoke" testing in your neighborhoods.  

“Smoke” testing is a method used to determine where rainwater is getting into the sanitary sewer system or to identify leaks or other bad connections. The “smoke” is non-toxic, non-staining, has a slight odor, is white to grey in color, does not create a fire hazard, and is NOT harmful to people or pets. 

The company hired by the City will be “smoke” testing in numerous locations by blowing “smoke” into the pipe network. Crews will look for “smoke” coming out through holes, manhole covers, plumbing vent pipes and other locations where rainwater can get into the sewer system. 

Crews may enter the yards of residents to document issues. They will not enter homes. 

"Smoke" from the test could enter your home through floor drains and unused toilets, sinks or showers. While all drains have water traps to prevent fumes from entering homes, floor drains in garages can dry up. Make sure the drains in your house have water in them so they can prevent "smoke" from entering. Pour a bucket of water down floor, sink or shower drains or down any toilets that haven’t been used in a month.

Call 911 if you are not certain that the smoke is the result of the City’s testing.

Testing should be completed within two weeks.