Community Notice: Smoke Testing of the Sanitary Sewers In October and November

In order to improve the sewer service in your area, on behalf of the Town of Hopkinton, Weston & Sampson will be conducting smoke testing of the sanitary sewers Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. during the months of October and November 2019.

During the test, white smoke is introduced to the sanitary sewer system via a smoke-generating machine. During this procedure, white smoke will be venting from holes in manhole covers located in the street and from plumbing vent pipes located on or near your roof surface. THIS IS NORMAL AND SHOULD NOT CAUSE ALARM.

Smoke should not enter your premises unless there is a dry trap in an unused fixture or a defect in your plumbing. You may wish to pour two gallons of water down any basement floor drains or unused plumbing fixtures to ensure that the drain trap will be effective.

Should smoke be detected within your home or building, do not be alarmed. The smoke is NON- TOXIC, NON-STAINING, and dissipates quickly through open windows. IF YOU HAVE A LUNG AILMENT or RESPIRATORY CONDITION SUCH AS ASTHMA OR EMPHYSEMA, STAY AWAY FROM THE SMOKE. Any smoke within a building should be immediately reported to the Fire Department at 911 and the persons conducting the tests.

PRIOR TO SMOKE TESTING, THE TOWN AND WESTON & SAMPSON MUST IDENTIFY LOCATIONS OF RESIDENTS WITH POOR HEALTH CONDITIONS. ALTHOUGH THE SMOKE IS NON-TOXIC AND NON-STAINING, IT IS CAPABLE OF CAUSING IRRITATION, ESPECIALLY TO THOSE WITH LUNG AILMENTS SUCH AS ASTHMA OR EMPHYSEMA. IF YOU HAVE A RELATED HEALTH CONDITION PLEASE CONTACT WESTON & SAMPSON AT (508) 293-1074. LEAVE A MESSAGE INCLUDING YOUR NAME, ADDRESS, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER SO THAT APPROPRIATE PRECAUTIONS MAY BE TAKEN. PLEASE CONTACT HOPKINTON DPW AT (508) 497-9740 IF YOU WISH TO SPEAK WITH A TOWN EMPLOYEE DURING NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS.

THE TEST IS SCHEDULED TO BE PERFORMED 1-3 BUSINESS DAYS AFTER YOU RECEIVE THIS NOTICE AT YOUR HOME PENDING WEATHER CONDITIONS.
PLEASE NOTE:
• YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO BE AT HOME DURING THE SMOKE TESTING.
• IF YOU WORK DURING THE DAY, PLEASE TAKE PRECAUTIONS TO VENTILATE THE AREA WHERE YOUR PET WILL BE.