The Town of Carolina Beach will be conducting smoke testing of the sanitary sewer system from November 25, 2024 to December 13, 2024. The testing process will involve the opening and entering of manholes in the streets and public utility easements. An important task of the testing will be to locate breaks and defects in the sewer system. The smoke will also reveal sources of where storm water and other surface waters enter the sewer system. The information gained from this testing will be used to improve your sewer services and may reduce the eventual cost to utility customers.
Testing Dates/Locations:
- 11/21/24-12/13/24:
- Neighborhoods in the areas between Plymouth Ave., Ocean Ridge, Goldsboro Ave., and Birmingham Ave. (north to south)
- Neighborhoods between Woody Hewett Ave. and Dow Rd. (east to west)
- 11/27/24:
- Areas around Carolina Beach Elementary School
- 12/2/24-12/4/24:
- Central Business District and Boardwalk areas
A special non-toxic smoke will be used in these tests. The smoke is manufactured for this purpose, leaves no residuals or stains, and has no effect on plant or animal life. The smoke has a distinctive, but not unpleasant, odor. Visibility and odor last only a few minutes with adequate ventilation.
Because the plumbing appliances in your house or building are connected to the sanitary sewer system, some smoke may enter your home or place of business if:
- The vents connected to your building's sewer pipes are inadequate, defective, or improperly installed.
- The traps under sinks, tubs, basins, showers, and other drains are dry, defective, improperly installed, or missing.
- The pipes, connections, and seals of the wastewater drain system in and under your buildings are damaged, defective, have plugs missing, or are improperly installed.
Please note, all plumbing fixture drain traps must be filled with water prior to smoke testing. Make sure all drain traps and plumbing fixtures have water in them. Fill seldom used drains, such as guest bathroom sinks/tubs, garage sinks, etc., with water by running the faucet for 30-60 seconds, or filling the drain with approximately 3 cups of water. Prepare drains before November 25th, and this only needs to be done once before smoke testing begins.
All residents are advised that if traces of this smoke or its odor enter your house or building, it is an indication that gases and odors from the sewer also may enter. These can be both unpleasant and dangerous, as well as a health risk to the occupants. Should smoke enter your home or business, you may contact a member of the smoke testing crew working in your area. However, corrections of such defects on private property are the responsibility of the property owner.
Should you have any questions or concerns regarding smoke testing in Carolina Beach, please contact Bill Raymond, Wastewater Treatment Plant Superintendent, at (910) 465-1946, or Shawn Thomas, Well and Sanitary Sewer Pump Station Supervisor, at (910) 782-9491.
