Beginning on March 8, 2021, The Thrasher Group and the Wythe County Wastewater Department will commence smoke testing of the sanitary sewer system in your area. Smoke testing is a cost-effective method to locate leaking sewers, lost manholes, and faulty sewer connections. With your cooperation, we can identify where runoff enters the sewer system and effect repairs. Our goal is to provide a safe, economical, efficient, and environmentally sound sewer system.
Testing hours will be from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Residents can expect to see some smoke coming out of their sewer roof vents during the test. If a residence has a faulty sewer connection, smoke might enter the house through the faulty connection. If this occurs, DO NOT BE ALARMED. The smoke is non-toxic, non-staining, and free of oil and colored particles. The smoke creates no fire hazard. Opening windows and doors will cause the smoke to dissipate. In the event that you should have direct contact with the smoke, you may experience some minor irritation of the respiratory passages. If people in your building have asthma, emphysema, or some other respiratory condition, please notify us so we can discuss your case in further detail. If traces of smoke or odors enter your building, it is an indication that sewer gases may also enter. Evidence of smoke in your house should be immediately reported to the Wythe County Wastewater Department, at the number listed below, and to your plumber. Location, identification, and correction of the source of smoke entering your house is strongly recommended. Correction of any defects in the pipes and sewer on private property is the responsibility of the owner.
- Smoke Testing of the entire system is expected to take approximately 4 to 6 weeks for the Fort Chiswell, Max Meadows and Grahams Forge areas. As such, we will not know exactly when we will be in a specific area, therefore we will have personnel going door to door to notify residents of the upcoming work the day of or the day prior to the work being performed.
- We would request you pour water down ALL drains in your home or buildings to ensure your J- bend sewer traps are full of water. Water typically evaporates from floor drains especially, so please check these as well if you have them. This will prevent smoke from entering the homes or business from the sanitary sewer side.
If you have any questions, contact our representative Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM at 276-223-4501.