Town of Penfield Sanitary Sewer Smoke Testing

Chatfield Engineers, P.C. field investigation work for the Town of Penfield 2005 Smoke Testing was to identify excessive infiltration and inflow (I/I) within the sanitary sewer system of Sewer District No. 3. 

The Penfield Sewer Department operates and maintains an estimated 110 miles of sanitary sewer mains and 12 pump stations, which serve approximately 9,000 homes and businesses. 

Approximately 43,000 Linear Feet (over 8 miles) of sanitary sewer was successfully smoke tested by setting up the blower at 66 locations.

Some observations made during smoke testing included:  two catch basins tied into the sanitary sewer system, lateral pipes and/or connections that were broken, roof vent stacks that did not emit any smoke, cleanouts that were broken, some cleanout caps that were broken or missing, and smoke came into some homes and businesses. We also found large thumb hole openings in the manhole covers, loose fitting manhole covers, and manholes/covers located in low lying areas that have the ability to drain large localized areas into the sanitary sewer.

As the result of smoke testing, many sources of inflow were identified.  We recommended that the Town of Penfield follow up with the problems identified during the smoke testing, further investigate the manhole conditions, and continue smoke testing in other areas in the future.  

Chatfield Engineers, P.C. coordinated with employees of the Town of Penfield Department of Public Works, residents of the Town and the local fire department. 

Too much space around manhole covers allows water to the sanitary sewer system (typical throughout the entire system)		The cap of this large cleanout was found sitting right next to it
The smoke emitting from this patch of grass and rocks is due to a broken lateral or broken cleanout