NOTICE TO RESIDENTS OF THE
CITY OF LOUISA

Between July 7th and August 15th during daylight hours, crews working 
for the City of Louisa will be testing sanitary sewer lines in your 
area.  These tests involve blowing harmless smoke into parts of the 
sanitary sewer system to find where unwanted stormwater may be entering.

As a result, smoke may be seen coming from roof vents, building 
foundations, or manhole covers.  The smoke will not enter your home or 
building if it is properly plumbed and vented, and the water traps 
contain water.  The smoke is a non-toxic substance that is clean and 
harmless to humans, pets, food and material goods.

Your presence at home is not required during the test.  All public 
safety authorities have been notified.  We would appreciate it if you 
would mention this notice to your neighbors to prevent needless concern.

Please advise the City of Louisa or the crews working for the City if 
any smoke enters your home or building.  The smoke will clear in a few 
minutes with proper ventilation.

COMMON QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Q.  Is the smoke harmful?
A.  No.  It may make you cough, but it is not harmful to your health 
and will not harm clothing, drapes or furniture.

Q.  Why would smoke enter my home?
A.  The only reason smoke would enter your home is if you have 
defective plumbing or your traps lack water.  Traps are 'P' or 'S' 
shaped fixtures located under basins, washing facilities, and floor 
drains.  They are designed to retain water so that sewer odors do not 
enter your home.  When you receive a notice that smoke testing will 
take place, you should check to see that all traps have water in them.

Q.  What should you do if smoke gets into the house?
A.  Contact the Crew Cheif working in the area.  Open windows for 
ventilation.  The smoke will soon dissipate.  Additionally, it would 
be a good idea to contact a plumber.

Q.  What is the purpose of smoke testing?
A.  To find possible leaks in the sanitary sewer system and roof drain 
connections.  Smoke testing can help locate bad connections that 
homeowners and occupants are not aware of.

Q.  I will not be at home during smoke testing and have pets in the 
house.  What should I do?
A.  The smoke is not harmful to pets.  It would be a good idea to 
leave several windows partially open for ventilation, should any smoke 
enter the building.  If you have proper connections and all of the 
traps have water in them, no smoke should enter the house.

Q.  If smoke gets into the house, how long does it take for the smoke 
to dissipate?
A.  This will depend upon how much smoke enters the building and how 
much ventilation you can provide.

Q.  Can smoke stop up the sewer?
A.  There is no way smoke can stop up a sewer.  The smoke is a 
vaporous substance.

If you should have any further questions, please contact David McGuire 
at 606-638-4500.