Please be advised that St. Mary’s County Metropolitan Commission will be smoke testing sewer lines in the following areas: 

Meadow Lake neighborhood on Friday, September 21, 2007 from 8am to 1pm.  

Smoke testing is an efficient and cost effective method of checking for sources of inflow into the sewer lines.  Leaks can be quickly detected as smoke escapes through problem areas.  The smoke product that we use is laboratory tested, and is the cleanest and safest way to test a sewer line.   The smoke is specifically manufactured for testing and is not dangerous or toxic; it leaves no residue or stains and should not affect plants or pets.  Visible smoke and/or smoke odor will last only a few minutes in cases of proper ventilation.  The smoke has a very distinctive, but not unpleasant odor.  

Smoke should exit the vent stack from your home. If traces of smoke or its odor are detected in the house-it is an indication that sewer gases could also be entering.  Sewer gases are dangerous and some of these gases have no odor or color and can enter a building undetected.  If you observe smoke entering your home during testing, please contact MetCom personnel to determine the source of the leak.  Once the leak is located in the home a plumber may have to be contacted.  Once again, the smoke should not enter the premises unless a leak is present. 

Avoid unnecessary exposure to the smoke.  The smoke is harmless but may be irritating to nasal passages.  Any smoke irritation will be temporary and should quickly disappear after exposure has ceased.  Persons with heart and respiratory ailments should be given adequate ventilation during the test.  House pets should be also be given adequate ventilation, or if possible, left outside in a secure location. 

To minimize the chance of smoke entering your house, please pour water into all drains including floor drains prior to the date of the test.

The presence of smoke in your house should be reported immediately to the personnel conducting the test or by calling the Operations Department (301)373-4733.  For more information regarding smoke testing please visit www.smoketesting.com or our website, www.metcom.org

Thank you,

Ed Hogan
Utilities Project Manager
Office (301)373-4733