GWA "smoke testing" sewer lines
Every year, GWA tests pipelines with an odorless smoke that creeps its way through the sewage lines.
January 12, 2015Updated: January 12, 2015
By KUAM News
By KUAM News by Isa Baza
Guam - Don't be alarmed if you see the streets going up in smoke this week, as the Guam Waterworks Authority is conducting their annual smoke testing. Every year, the utility agency tests our islands pipelines with an odorless and harmless smoke that creeps its way through the sewage lines until it is finally released at the street level.
GWA spokesperson Heidi Ballendorf told KUAM News, "The main reason we do that is to test if there are any problems, especially cracked sewer lines - we don't want any cracked sewer pipes." Not only could a cracked sewer line be affecting your monthly bill, but it could also be wasting gallons of potable water. However, smoke testing also serves a dual purpose. "And we certainly want to know if anyone's got an illegal sewer hookup to their home," Ballendorf added. "That's a $25,000 fine and you will go to jail for that."
Both damaged pipelines and illegal sewer connections will be identified as smoke rises, and GWA teams will be out monitoring to address these issues. "People are home and they see smoke coming out of the street they might get a little alarmed, if you get smoke in your house during this time, that is a problem - that means there's some issue with the sewer line so you want to call 646-4211," she advised.
Ballendorf says testing has already been conducted in the south, and GWA plans to continue moving to Central Guam in villages such as Tamuning and tumon. She also reminds the public not to worry, as the smoke is completely harmless.
GWA's smoke testing procedures will begin later this week until January 30th in Chalan Pago, Sinajana, and Mongmong-Toto-Maite.
Guam - Don't be alarmed if you see the streets going up in smoke this week, as the Guam Waterworks Authority is conducting their annual smoke testing. Every year, the utility agency tests our islands pipelines with an odorless and harmless smoke that creeps its way through the sewage lines until it is finally released at the street level.
GWA spokesperson Heidi Ballendorf told KUAM News, "The main reason we do that is to test if there are any problems, especially cracked sewer lines - we don't want any cracked sewer pipes." Not only could a cracked sewer line be affecting your monthly bill, but it could also be wasting gallons of potable water. However, smoke testing also serves a dual purpose. "And we certainly want to know if anyone's got an illegal sewer hookup to their home," Ballendorf added. "That's a $25,000 fine and you will go to jail for that."
Both damaged pipelines and illegal sewer connections will be identified as smoke rises, and GWA teams will be out monitoring to address these issues. "People are home and they see smoke coming out of the street they might get a little alarmed, if you get smoke in your house during this time, that is a problem - that means there's some issue with the sewer line so you want to call 646-4211," she advised.
Ballendorf says testing has already been conducted in the south, and GWA plans to continue moving to Central Guam in villages such as Tamuning and tumon. She also reminds the public not to worry, as the smoke is completely harmless.
GWA's smoke testing procedures will begin later this week until January 30th in Chalan Pago, Sinajana, and Mongmong-Toto-Maite.