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Evaluation of
sanitary sewer system continues
Smoke testing phase of project to kick into high
gear this month
By Special to the E-E
An evaluation of
the city’s sanitary sewer system is expected to kick into high gear
this month, consultants said in a press release issued this
week.
The City of
Bartlesville
has contracted with consulting engineers Tetra Tech Inc. to perform
an evaluation of the sanitary sewer system in various areas within
the city.
The evaluation is
performed to identify inflow and infiltration or other sanitary
sewer collection system conditions which contribute to heavy wet
weather flows and collection system overflows.
The project includes the inspection of approximately
1,200 manholes, smoke testing of approximately 279,000 feet of sewer
line, dyed water testing of suspected defects, and a number of
building inspections. Additionally, internal television inspections
will be conducted in areas where severe problems are
observed.
“The evaluation
project began in April and is expected to continue throughout the
summer and be completed by Sept. 30,” according to Bryan Ballard of
Tetra Tech. “The goal of the project is to reduce the amount of
rainwater that gets into the sanitary sewer system during wet
weather, causing sewage to overload the system during rain
storms.
Since early April, Tetra
Tech has been inspecting manholes. In mid-June the smoke testing
phase of the project will kick into high gear, officials say. Crews
will be traveling throughout the city, entering backyards where the
majority of manholes are located and placing smoke testing equipment
on the manholes to perform smoke testing on the sanitary sewer
lines.
Prior to
smoke testing, Tetra Tech will distribute fliers in the areas to be
smoke tested advising citizens on what to expect. During smoke
testing activities, crews will introduce non-toxic smoke through
manholes into the sewer system under moderate pressure using smoke
blowers. The area is then observed for smoke emitting from defective
areas. Crews will travel quickly through backyards watching for
defects to show up and will be marking the area with flags, taking
photos and measurements to record the defects. Tetra Tech crews are
uniformed and carry photo ID badges and their vehicles have Tetra
Tech signs on them.
“Should you
see smoke coming out of vent pipes on homes or businesses, don’t be
alarmed,” Ballard said. “This is normal and should happen during the
smoke testing procedure. Also, in the unlikely event that smoke
enters your home, you are asked to step outside and inform one of
the crew members you see in the area. They will be able to assist
you in locating where the smoke may be entering your
home.
“The smoke is not toxic
and does not stain. If you should get smoke inside, you are advised
to open your doors and windows to allow the smoke to clear
out.”
Ballard said any citizen
who is bedridden or has a respiratory condition and feels they need
assistance is encouraged to call Ballard or Terri Kuykendall at the
Tetra Tech offices at 1-800-681-9995.
A tentative schedule for smoke testing is included
below to give residents and building owners an idea when testing is
scheduled to occur in their neighborhood.
“Again, the schedule is tentative and can change
slightly if rain delays the smoke testing for periods of time,”
Ballard said.
Hillcrest Heights,
Country Club Terrace — June 18 - June 21
North of Price Road to
Coventry
Lane; between the Caney River and Jo
Allyn Lowe Park.
East
Park/ East View,
Madison/
Sooner — June 20 - June 28
East
of Highway 75; between Nowata Road and Sooner
Park.
Hughes Fisher Area — June 28 - July
3
North of Tuxedo; between
Teresa and Spruce.
Southwest
side — July 3 - July 11
From
Caney
River to
Penn
Street; between 11th and 20th
streets.
Northwest of Downtown
Area — July 11 - July 16
North
of Adams; Between Virginia and
Western; and Hensley to Aaron; between Western and
Cherokee.
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