St. Charles testing sanitary sewers on the west side

The City of St. Charles is testing its sanitary sewer system to identify potential faulty lines or connections where water runoff from rain or snow melts may enter the system or where sewer gases may escape.

The testing is taking place on the west side of the city now through June 30. It is required by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. For a map of the area to be tested, go to stcharlesil.gov.

All affected residences and businesses are notified prior to testing. Signs also will be posted in the neighborhoods being tested.

The city has contracted with RJN Engineering Group of Downers Grove, Ill. to perform the smoke testing.

Smoke testing pushes air combined with liquid smoke into sewer lines to disclose the location of leaks and faulty connections to the sanitary sewer system. The smoke is nontoxic, and safe for humans and pets. It is similar to the special effects smoke used in concerts and haunted houses. During the test, smoke may be seen coming from vent stacks on the roof and out of the ground.

Smoke will not enter homes or buildings unless the plumbing is defective or drain traps are dry. The smoke has no odor, is nontoxic, nonstaining, does not create a fire hazard, and will dissipate in a few minutes. Pouring water into any floor drains and into any unused sinks prior to the test will seal the drain traps so smoke will not enter through the drains.

Why test the sanitary sewer lines for faults?

• Reduce inconvenient sanitary sewer backups. When a significant amount of ground water flows into the sanitary sewer system through faulty lines, it can overwhelm system capacity and cause sanitary sewer backups.

• Eliminate unnecessary wastewater treatment. All water in sanitary sewer lines is treated at the city's wastewater plant. Significant amounts of groundwater flowing into the sanitary sewer mains can lead to millions of gallons of water being treated unnecessarily.

• Identify the location of sanitary sewer gas leaks. Faulty sanitary sewer mains or connections could allow sewer gases to escape.

For more information about the smoke testing, contact St. Charles Public Works Department at (630) 377-4405 or visit the Sanitary Sewer Project page on the city's website.