SMOKE TESTING

UPDATED: SMOKE TESTING COMPLETED IN AFFECTED LANSING NEIGHBORHOODS

Contractors working for the City will use "smoke testing" in a portion of Lansing (map) east of K-7 and south of the Lansing Correctional Facility in mid-June to identify sources of rainwater in the City sewer system.  Water that enters the sewer system can lead to untreated sewage overflowing in streets and backing up into basements during heavy rainfall. Smoke testing (more information here) can also detect structural damage and leaking joints in sewer pipes that are in need of repair. Some examples of how water enters the sewer system include:

*Actual cracks in the sewer line

*Defective sewer connections

*Building connections without proper traps or plumbing

*Illicit cross-connections with storm water drains

Beginning in 2013, the city of Lansing embarked on a plan to provide sanitary sewer service more efficiently to the community. These efforts got underway with a sanitary sewer master plan, resulting in the recommendation of several sanitary sewer projects. To date, the City has spent nearly $13 million to upgrade and up-size sewers throughout the service area. The next steps in the master plan are to reduce rainfall and groundwater from entering the sewer system.