The City of Lexington is taking the next step to fix the sanitary sewer system’s odor issues. Smoke testing will begin the week of September 9 in the Meadowthorpe neighborhood. The Cumberland Hill and Pinnacle neighborhoods will follow. Smoke testing will be finished by early November.
All homes in the smoke testing area will be notified with a door hanger before smoke testing occurs. You may see trucks on your street and workers around manholes. It is normal for the smoke to exit the vent pipe on the roof of your home or other buildings.
Contractors from Hydromax will push non-toxic, white smoke into manholes. If a sewer pipe is cracked or broken, smoke will come up from the ground. If broken pipes or other issues are identified on your property, you will be notified by the Division of Water Quality. In most cases, repairs needed on your property are your responsibility.
If your neighborhood is scheduled for smoke testing, residents are asked not to call 9-1-1 if you see smoke coming from your vent pipe, nearby vent pipes or up through yards or sidewalks. You may call the non-emergency number for the Fire Department at (859) 231-5600 if you have concerns.
The smoke is non-toxic, but people with heart problems, emphysema or other breathing issues, sleeping shift workers and those who keep pets in the basement should take precautions. Take these steps to decrease the chance of smoke entering your home:
- If you have sinks that are not used often, make sure there is water in the trap. Simply run the faucet for a few minutes.
- If you have basement drain, pour a gallon of water into the drain. This will ensure there is water in the trap.
The water in the trap will keep smoke from coming up through the pipes into your home.
If smoke does enter your home:
- Open your windows and doors to let the smoke out. It should go away quickly.
- The smoke will not leave any residue and is not a fire hazard.
- Contact the crews working in your neighborhood to let them know that smoke entered your home. You can flag them down or call (888) 357-6653.
