Morgantown Utility Board will conduct sewer smoke testing on Globe Avenue and Southern Avenue on Wednesday, October 22nd and Thursday the 23rd. The smoke testing is being done to obtain information on the sewer system.

It is possible that during this testing, some customers will see smoke in or near residences/businesses. This non-toxic smoke may be visible as it exits piping, manholes, storm drains and possibly rain gutters. This smoke is non-toxic, non-staining, has no odor, is white and gray in color and creates no fire hazard. The smoke should not enter your home unless you have defective plumbing or dry traps in your floor drains. It is advisable that you dump a gallon of water into each of your floor drains and any seldom used sink, shower drains, and toilets (especially those in older basements that often go dry) before the testing date above. Should your residence fill with smoke during this testing, open a few windows to vent the area and let MUB know that this has occurred. Additional investigation may be needed to determine if you have defective plumbing.

Please call MUB at (304) 292-8443 and ask to speak to someone in engineering should you have questions or experience smoke in or around your residence.

What is the benefit of smoke testing?

Smoke Testing is used to identify sections of sanitary sewer which may exhibit inflow or infiltration during rainfall. Inflow sources are roof leaders, yard and area drains, foundation drains, abandoned building sewers, faulty connections, illegal connections and storm water drainage system cross connections. It can also detect structural damage and leaking joints in sewer pipes and overflow points in sewer systems.

What exactly is a smoke test?

A crew places a smoke blower over manholes and artificial smoke is blown through the sewer system. Anywhere the smoke exits, there is potential for stormwater or ground water to enter the sewer system.

Is the smoke hazardous?

Not at all. The smoke that comes out of the vent stacks on houses and businesses or holes in the ground is non-toxic, non-staining, does not create a fire hazard, and will dissipate in a few minutes.

Do residents have to do anything to prepare their homes and businesses for smoke testing?

One gallon of water should be poured into the drain traps of floors, sinks, showers and tubs and seldom used toilets (especially those in older basements that often go dry). This can help prevent sewer gases from entering the building and prevent smoke from entering the home or business.

What if smoke enters my home?

If the smoke does enter your home, please remember that this does not constitute an immediate emergency in that you are not in danger. Please DO NOT CALL the police, the fire department or 9-1-1 unless you are certain of an emergency. We have notified them prior to the testing taking place. However, the presence of smoke could indicate that dangerous sewer gas is regularly entering your home. Follow these steps if you see smoke entering your home:

  • Open windows to ventilate the smoke
  • Note the source of the smoke
  • If it is in a floor drain or toilet and the smoke is not excessive, try pouring water into the drain/toilet
  • If your home is filling with smoke, remove people and pets from the home until smoke has cleared
  • If you see a testing crew nearby let them know. Otherwise, call MUB at (304) 292-8443.

What if smoke comes out of the yard or driveway?

This could mean that a drain on the property is connected to a sewer line instead of the storm system. It could also mean that there is no direct connection or that the lateral has breaks or cracks in the pipe. If this occurs, note the location and inform any member of the testing crew that you may see. If members of the testing crew are not available or readily visible, please contact MUB using the information provided below. During testing, MUB staff will visually inspect the area to note and inventory any potential issues, including marking the locations and taking photographs.

If there is smoke in the yard, does that mean the cause of the leak needs to be dug up?

In worst-case scenario, yes, but there are many other solutions, such as disconnecting the drain or lining a portion of the house lateral without excavation.

Does the property owner need to be available when smoke testing is performed?

Homeowners do not need to be home and field crews will not need to enter the residence. Field crews will record the testing, take photos and measure distances so the defects can be located. This information can be shared with the property owner at their earliest convenience.

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If you wish to be notified via text or voice of MUB emergency messages, please be sure that we have the correct and most updated information for your account by completing this form.

Additional questions or concerns

If you have other questions or concerns, please contact the Morgantown Utility Board Engineering Department at (304) 292-8443 or email at stormwater@mub.org.