Sequim to test sewer lines with smoke

SEQUIM — Residents in Sequim soon will see “smoke” rising from unusual places, including the streets and the ground, street gutters, and possibly even from house vent piping.

Beginning sometime during the first two weeks of August and continuing through September, the Sequim Public Works Department will use a smoke-like substance to test city sanitary systems to find defects, breaks, leaks or faulty connections.

“This is the first time we’ve done it,” said Pete Tjemsland, utilities manager for the city.

The “smoke,” also known as petroleum hydrocarbon oil, is used in smoke blowers from Cherne Industries Inc. of Minneapolis, Minn., for sewer testing, according to information the city’s Public Works Department provided on its website, http://tinyurl.com/bmtdp49.

The city said it has no odor, is non-toxic, non-staining, does not create a fire hazard and will dissipate within a few minutes.

It can, however, cause coughing. The irritation is temporary and should disappear after exposure has ceased, the city website said.

Those with respiratory problems or mobility limitations can contact Tjemsland or the Public Works department for more information.

Each neighborhood and individual properties will be notified in advance when smoke testing will take place, Tjemsland said.

Bright pink door hangers will alert residents when testing will begin in their vicinity.

Green and blue A-frame board signs also will be placed in neighborhoods before testing begins, Tjemsland said.

Crews will open manholes and use a large engine to pump the material into the sanitary pipes, which are 50 years old in some places, he said.

The smoke will reveal defects in pipes — and may also show illegal connections, he said.

During the tests, residents may see smoke coming from vent stacks on buildings or from holes in the ground such as manhole covers, storm drains and building foundations.

“If residents see smoke, there is no need for alarm,” Tjemsland said.

Public Works recommends that residents flush toilets and run water down sinks, tubs and laundry drains before the first day of testing to make sure drain traps are blocked with water to prevent smoke from entering building.

If residents see smoke in their buildings, they should open doors and windows to ventilate the premises and consult a licensed plumber to identify how the smoke is entering the building, the city said, as the potential exists for sewer gases to enter in the same manner.

Residents who see smoke in their home who did not receive a flier or door hanger and have no signs in their neighborhood, should call 9-1-1.

Residents are welcome to ask questions of Public Works employees conducting the test in their neighborhoods.

The Clallam County Fire District, 9-1-1 Dispatch and Sequim Police will be notified of the testing, and locations will be updated throughout the test period.

To contact Tjemsland, phone 360-683-4908 or e-mail at sewersmoketest@sequimwa.gov.

Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.

More in News

Hurricane Ridge day lodge funding held up in Congress

The fate of $80 million in funding to rebuild… Continue reading

Judy Davidson, left, and Kathy Thomas, both of Port Townsend, look over the skin care products offered by Shandi Motsi of Port Townsend, one of the 20 vendors at the second annual Procrastinators Craft Fair at the Palindrome/Eaglemount Cidery on Friday. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Procrastinators Market

Judy Davidson, left, and Kathy Thomas, both of Port Townsend, look over… Continue reading

Services could be impacted by closure

Essential workers won’t get paid in shutdown

A now-deceased male cougar was confirmed by Panthera and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife staff to have been infected with Avian influenza on the Olympic Peninsula. (Powell Jones/Panthera)
Two cougars infected with bird flu die

Risk of human infection still low, CDC says

D
Readers contribute $58K to Home Fund to date

Donations can be made for community grants this spring

Jefferson Elementary School in Port Angeles designated Thursday dress up like a candy cane day. Back row, from left to right, they are: Wyatt Farman, Ari Ownby, Tayo Murdach, Chloe Brabant, Peyton Underwood, Lola Dixon, River Stella (in wheelchair), Fenja Garling, Tegan Brabant, Odessa Glaude, Eastyn Schmeddinger-Schneder. Front row: Ellie Schneddinger-Schneder, Cypress Crear, Bryn Christiansen and Evelyn Shrout. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Dress like a candy cane

Jefferson Elementary School in Port Angeles designated Thursday dress up like a… Continue reading

EYE ON THE PENINSULA: Jefferson commissioners to meet on Monday

Meetings across the North Olympic Peninsula

A 40-year-old Quilcene man died and a 7-year-old boy was airlifted to a Seattle hospital after the car in which they were riding collided with the back of a school bus on Center Road on Friday morning. (East Jefferson Fire Rescue)
One dies in two-vehicle collision involving school bus

A 40-year-old Quilcene man died and a 7-year-old boy was… Continue reading

Iris McNerney of from Port Townsend is like a pied piper at the Port Hudson Marina. When she shows up with a bag of wild bird seed, pigeons land and coo at her feet. McNerney has been feeding the pigeons for about a year and they know her car when she parks. Gulls have a habit of showing up too whenever a free meal is available. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Feeding the birds

Iris McNerney of from Port Townsend is like a pied piper at… Continue reading

Property purchase intended for housing

Port Angeles envisions 18 to 40 residents

Housing, climate top Port Townsend’s state agenda

City also prioritizes transportation, support at Fort Worden

Dennis Bauer gets emotional while testifying at his triple murder trial in January 2022. His conviction was overturned by the state Court of Appeals and remanded back to Clallam County. (Paul Gottlieb/Peninsula Daily News)
Appeals court overturns murder conviction

Three-judge panel rules Bauer did not receive fair trial