The Calaveras County Water District will be conducting smoke testing on its sewer system in Copperopolis from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the area of Arrowhead St., Bayview Dr. and Signal Hill Trail starting Thursday March 26 and continuing through the beginning of next week. Community members will observe smoke coming from various portions of the sewer system during these tests, but there is no need to be alarmed as this is part of the District’s routine maintenance activities.

The smoke used in the testing is nontoxic. The District will place signs in the area in advance of the work alerting residents of the smoke testing to make sure nobody is alarmed by unexpected smoke. Local fire departments have also been notified in advance of these tests.

CCWD uses smoke testing to inspect main sewer lines and laterals and identify potential problems. Smoke testing consists of blowing smoke mixed with large volumes of air through a manhole and into a portion of sewer line. The smoke travels through the path of least resistance and becomes visible at sites that allow surface water inflow. Smoke can help identify broken manholes, illegal connections (including roof drains plumbed into the sewer system), sump pumps and yard drains, uncapped clean-outs and can even show cracked mains and laterals. CCWD crews will use this information to make repairs and reduce the amount of infiltration and inflow (I&I) entering the sewer system.

Anyone with questions or concerns about the smoke testing may contact CCWD Customer Service at (209) 754-3543 or customerserivice@ccwd.org.