St. Charles inspecting sanitary sewer systems on city's east side

ST. CHARLES – The city is testing its sanitary sewer system to identify faulty lines or connections where water runoff from rain or snow melts may enter the system or where sewer gases may escape.

The testing is required by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and includes two phases: smoke testing and manhole inspection. The testing will take place on the city's east side, near Smith Road & Main Street.

All affected residences and businesses are notified prior to testing. Signs also are posted in the neighborhoods being tested. McHenry-based RMS Utility Services is the city’s contractor for this project.

Smoke testing will continue through Oct. 25. Smoke testing pushes air combined with liquid smoke into sewer lines to disclose the location of leaks and faulty connections to the sanitary sewer system, according to a news release from the city of St. Charles.

The smoke is non-toxic, and safe for humans and pets, the release states, and is similar to the special effects smoke used in concerts and haunted houses. During the test, smoke may be seen coming from vent stacks on the roof and out of the ground.

Smoke will not enter homes or buildings unless the plumbing is defective or drain traps are dry, the release stated. The smoke has no odor, is non-toxic, non-staining, does not create a fire hazard, and will dissipate in a few minutes. Pouring water into any floor drains and into any unused sinks prior to the test will seal the drain traps so smoke will not enter through the drains.

Manhole inspections will be done between Oct. 25 and Oct. 28. Manholes are inspected with 360-degree imaging. There will be no interruption to sanitary sewer service during the test, the release stated.

Residents may notice the contractor’s vans parked outside and workers lowering imaging equipment into manholes. Some of the city-owned manholes are in the backyards; crews will be entering yards to complete these inspections.

“We appreciate everyone’s cooperation during the sanitary sewer assessment process,” Environmental Services Manager Tim Wilson said in the release. “While we have notified businesses and residents in the neighborhoods to be tested, we ask residents to help us get the word out, especially to elderly neighbors. We want to be sure people are aware of the testing so they are not alarmed by the smoke.”

According to the release, testing sanitary sewer lines for faults will reduce inconvenient sanitary sewer backups, eliminate unnecessary wastewater treatment and identify the location of sanitary sewer gas leaks. More information about the manhole inspections and smoke testing is available by calling the St. Charles Public Works Department at 630-377-4405 or by going to stcharlesil.gov/projects/2019-testing-sanitary-sewer-east-side on the city's website.