CUC sets new sewer line smoke testing schedule

The Commonwealth Utilities Corp. will be smoke-testing the sanitary sewer lines in Chalan LauLau (Main Road), Middle Road, Beach Road, Quarter Master, As Terlaje, As Lito, Finasisu, and Chalan Piao beginning Monday, June 18, through Friday, July 13. The testing, which involves forcing smoke into the sanitary sewer lines, will check for leaks, breaks, and defects in the system.

The smoke is odorless, creates no fire hazard and will not enter your home or business unless you have defective plumbing or dried-up sink traps or floor drains. The smoke test should only affect your property for approximately 15 minutes. The smoke used for this test is manufactured strictly for this purpose, leaves no residuals or stains and has no effect on plants and animals. Direct contact with the smoke may cause minor respiratory irritation in some people.

If people in your building suffer from a heart condition, asthma, emphysema or some other respiratory condition and are planning to stay in the building during testing, notify the CUC Wastewater Operations at (670) 322-5032 (or 322-5033) to discuss your specific case.

Prior to testing, please pour two gallons of water in any seldom-used sinks and floor drains to prevent sewer gases, smoke and odors from entering the premises. If smoke does enter your home during testing, immediately remove yourself from the building, notify the crews that are conducting the test or call CUC. Again, if smoke enters your home, it is an indication of a plumbing defect, so you should also notify a plumber. Please note, the correction of any defects is the responsibilities of the property owner.

Smoke that you will see coming from the vent stacks on houses is normal. However, smoke coming from holes in the grounds is not normal and is considered a defect. All such defects will be logged. CUC will then contact the property owners if a defect is located on private property.

This smoke testing is part of CUC’s continuing effort to provide a safe, economical, efficient, and environmentally sound sewer system. The smoke testing procedure has been recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as an effective means of identifying problem areas in the sewer system. Eliminating system defects and illegal connections will help our community remain in compliance with the federal legislation regarding sewer systems maintenance and sanitary sewer overflows.

Contact CUC Wastewater Operations at (670) 322-5032 (or 322-5033) with any questions or concerns. (CUC)