Smoke Testing Sanitary Sewer System

In July 2017, the City of Valdosta completed the smoke testing project for the sanitary sewer system, which included approximately 1,712,150 linear feet (over 300 miles). The City hired Constantine Engineering to smoke test the entire sanitary sewer system and estimated that the project would take 4 years. Work began in January 2014 and was completed ahead of schedule. The purpose of this project was to identify and eliminate sources of stormwater inflow and infiltration (I&I) into the sewer system that cannot be identified by closed-circuit televising of sewer lines.

As part of the project, the city sewer system was divided into five zones. Door hangers were distributed to citizens in the areas to be tested 24 to 48 hours before testing began. The white or greyish-colored smoke used during the test is non-toxic, non-staining, odorless, creates no fire hazard and does not pose any harm to the environment. Typically smoke is seen coming out of:

  • Missing sewer clean-out caps
  • Breaks in sewer lines or manholes
  • Roof vent stacks associated with the building's plumbing system and/or roof drains that should NOT be connected to the sewer system
  • Stormwater ponds or catch basins that are improperly connected to the sewer system

Following the smoke testing of each zone, Constantine Engineering provided an inventory of the defects and repairs needed within the sewer system, which included both public and private defects with cleanouts, manholes, main lines, service lines, and stormwater cross connections. A total of 1,442 defects were found and as of July 2017, the following repairs have been made:

  • Cleanout repairs: 288
  • Manhole repairs: 63
  • Main line repairs: 7 (14,376 ft of sewer mains lined)
  • Storm Cross Connection: 12
  • Service Line Defects: 253

Over the next year, City staff will work to address the remaining 819 defects.

Smoke Test Locations

2017 - Week of Start Date

Map
June 19, 2017Multiple locations
April 10, 2017Park & Ponderosa and Hill & Cypress Areas
April 3, 2017Gordon, Forrest, Troup, Vallotton Area
January 23, 2017Forrest and Park Area

2016 - Week of Start Date

Map
July 11, 2016Knights Academy Area
August 1, 2016

Mount Zion Church Area

August 15, 2016Forrest and Inner Perimeter Rd Area
August 22, 2016Pineview Dr and Forrest St Area
September 26, 2016Ashley, Bemiss and Perimeter Area
October 24, 2016Oak, Cowart, Ashley and Brookwood Area
November 28, 2016Brookwood, Ashley, and Forrest Area

2014/2015 - Week of Start Date

Map

January 27, 2014

Portion of Downtown

North Valdsota Area

February 10, 2014

Gornto Rd and Meadowbrook Dr Area

February 17, 2014

Gornto Rd and Oak St Area

March 10, 2014

Jerry Jones Dr and Country Club Dr Area

March 24, 2014

North Valdosta Rd Area

March 31, 2014

Country Club Rd Area

July 7, 2014

Valdosta Mall Area

July 14, 2014

Old Wood Valley and I-75 Area

July 21, 2014

New Wood Valley Area

July 28, 2014

Jerry Jones Dr and Baytree Rd Area

August 4, 2014

Gordon St and Baytree Rd Area

August 11, 2014

N St Augustine Rd and River St Area

August 25, 2014

S St Augustine Rd and Savannah Ave Area

August 10, 2015

Gil Harbin and Madison Hwy Area

August 17, 2015

New Statenville and Inner Perimeter Area

August 24, 2015

Old Lake Park and Old Statenville Area

September 7, 2015

Old Lake Park and Griffin Area

September 21, 2015

Hill Ave Area

Helpful Resources

If there are additional questions, contact the Utilities Department at 229-259-3592 or the contractor at 229-588-2864.

Utilities
229-259-3592
229-241-8285
229-434-4132
Assistant Director of Utilities
Location

1016 Myrtle Street 
Valdosta, Georgia 31601

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