MIDDLEBURY — People who live in some parts of Middlebury are urged to take steps to make sure smoke doesn’t enter their homes through their drains this Wednesday and Thursday, when the town Wastewater Department performs a smoke test on the sewer system.
On Wednesday, Aug. 2, and/or Thursday, Aug. 3. the Middlebury Wastewater Department will be smoke testing a portion of the sewer system, including all areas west of Otter Creek, from Porterfield Road north to the Weybridge town line. This test will assist wastewater workers in locating breaks and defects in the sewer system.
During the test homeowners and other residents may see smoke coming from vent stacks on buildings or from holes in the ground. Town officials urge people to not be alarmed. The smoke has no odor, is non-toxic, non-staining, does not create a fire hazard, and will dissipate in a few minutes.
Those who live within the test area are being asked to pour water into basement floor drains and into any unused sinks, on Monday or Tuesday before the test begins. This will seal the drain traps so that smoke will not enter your building through the drain.
If smoke should enter your premises during the test, it may indicate defects in the plumbing that could allow sewer gases to enter. Please note the location of the smoke and contact the Town of Middlebury Wastewater Dept. at (802) 388-6514 or email [email protected] to arrange a meeting with a worker from the Wastewater staff. Open doors and windows to ventilate any smoke that enters the building.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Town of Middlebury Wastewater Department at (802) 388-6514.