Public Notice:

City Public Works crews with the assistance of WHKS & Co. will be conducting smoke testing in the Slatterly East neighborhood within the next several days.

The testing is part of the City’s Sewer Rehabilitation and Capacity Assurance Program. The program has a goal of reducing groundwater and rainwater entry into the sanitary sewer collection system and achieving a reduction in basement sewage backups.

This process involves forcing non-toxic white smoke into the sewer pipes with a mechanical blower, and observing the areas from which the smoke appears. While the blower is running, crews will travel quickly throughout the area taking photographs of problem areas. The white smoke may appear from vent pipes on the roofs of buildings, and from defects in the sewer lines.

The smoke is non-toxic, leaves no residue, and creates no fire hazard. The smoke may enter your home or building if a drain trap is dry or if the building has defective plumbing. Residents should pour approximately a gallon of water into each drain to make sure that the trap is full. A drain that has regular use should already be full. If you have any questions, please contact Doug Nelson, City of Rochester Public Works (507) 328-2423.

If smoke does enter a building, please report all locations to the work crews by calling WHKS & Co. at (507) 259-6540.

City of Rochester
201 Fourth St SE Room 108
Rochester, MN 55904