BOONE, Iowa—As part of the City of Boone sanitary sewer system evaluation program, City crews with the assistance of WHKS & Company Engineers are conducting smoke testing in the designated 3rd Phase of the City’s I&I program. The purpose of the smoke testing is to identify areas where clear or storm water may be leaking into the sanitary sewer system.

This process involves forcing non-toxic smoke into the sewer pipes with a mechanical blower, and observing the areas from which the smoke appears. While the blowers is running, crews will travel quickly throughout the area taking photographs of problem areas. City officials remind residents that the smoke is non-toxic, leaves no residue and creates no fire hazard. The white smoke may appear from vent pipes on the roofs of buildings, and from defects in the sewer lines.

Testing began Monday and is planned to continue through Friday. Smoke may enter a residents if a drain trap is dry. Residents should pour about a gallon of water into each drain to make sure the trap is full. If smoke does enter a building, please report all locations to the work crews or call WHKS & Company at (515) 663-9997 or Boone Public Works at (515) 230-2287.

The Boone Fire Department has already reported a few calls to investigate smoke in the test area.