Spot any white or gray smoke pouring from vent pipes in Traverse City this week? Do not be alarmed.
The city is conducting a Sanitary Sewer Evaluation Study (SSES) to identify areas of inflow and infiltration, or non-sewer water infiltrating the sewer system.
Art Krueger, the Traverse City director of municipal utilities, said that stopping infiltration and inflow lowers the cost of water treatment and reduces the likelihood of overflow, especially in raining or flooding conditions that could overwhelm the system’s pipes.
Starting the week of May 26 and ending in December 2025, the project will be conducted primarily in west Traverse City.
The city will issue weekly public service announcements to identify the locations scheduled for testing. Residents can also expect to be notified of testing in their area by mail.
Smoke testing is one of the methods used to identify issues within the sewer system, where non-toxic, non-staining smoke is blown through the sewer. While it is normal to see smoke rising from vents or grates, it should not be in your home.
The city of Traverse City’s website states that finding smoke inside the residence may be indicative of a dry or defective drain tap, which can be aided by pouring a gallon of water down a drain prior to the testing.
If smoke is still coming out of drains after taking this precaution, Krueger advised finding the group conducting smoke testing in that neighborhood. The workers are wearing bright yellow vests and should be within a block or two of the residence.
City officials are asking to be notified of anyone in a residence or business with respiratory or mobility problems during the testing.
Krueger said that neighborhoods chosen for testing were selected based on information obtained from a 2017 Stormwater, Asset management and Wastewater (SAW) grant, where about half of the city’s sewer system was tested.
“We want to see the current condition of these pipes after about 8 to 10 years, or the pipes that we haven't been able to investigate yet,” Krueger said. “We want to be proactive and, hopefully, eliminate entry points that shouldn't be allowing groundwater or storm water in.”
This study is being conducted as part of the Traverse City Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant improvement plan, which aims to upgrade the city’s plant over the next few years.
A February press release from the State of Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) stated that the project is not expected to have any significant impact on the city – apart from minor, temporary construction impacts.
“The water quality benefits anticipated from the project are expected to outweigh any short-term adverse impacts,” it read. “Improving the efficiency and reliability of the system will provide long-term beneficial impacts.”
This story was produced in partnership with the Traverse City Record-Eagle.
