BLOWING SMOKE – Facts, Figures, and Other Useful Tips for Effective Sewer Smoke Testing

Smoke testing is a common diagnostic tool used to locate sources of inflow and infiltration in a sewer system. Smoke testing has been around for many years, but little information is available to help municipalities understand what to expect during such testing. How do I plan for such a project? What can I expect to find? How do I handle public relations? This paper presents a case study that evaluates and expands upon these issues based on facts, figures, and lessons learned from 1,000,000+ ftof smoke testing recently completed in Huntsville, Alabama. The results provide guidance for sewer managers and engineers to better understand what to expect during smoke testing and suggestions to better educate the public and other City departments.