City of Kerrville to conduct smoke testing along River Trail Sept. 10-11

The City of Kerrville’s Wastewater Collections Department is scheduled to perform smoke testing throughout Louise Hays Park and along the River Trail on September 10-11.  On Tuesday, Sept. 10, testing will extend from the Riverside Nature Center Trailhead to the G Street Trailhead.  Louise Hays Park and that segment of the River Trail will be closed from 6 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for safety.

On Wednesday, Sept. 11, testing will resume at 6 a.m. at the G Street Trailhead and will extend east to the intersection of Camp Meeting Creek and Bandera Highway.  The G Street Trailhead parking lot will be closed until approximately 12:30 p.m.  These closures are for safety reasons, and people are asked to not walk or bike past safety barriers.

Smoke testing is a common test method used to identify sections of the sanitary sewer collection system that have defects such as cracks, leaks, or faulty connections that allow rainwater to enter the underground pipe network.  Since the sanitary sewer system is only designed to handle sewage, the addition of rainwater/storm water causes many problems in the city’s collection system.  The City of Kerrville intends to locate and repair as many of these rainwater connections as possible so that heavy rain does not overwhelm the sanitary sewer system or interfere with the operation of the wastewater treatment plant.

During the test, personnel will blow dense white smoke into the sanitary sewer system.  The smoke will escape again through openings such as holes in manhole covers and plumbing vent pipes located on or near rooftops.  Smoke will also escape through defects such as cracks or breaks, open or broken clean out covers, damaged or defective manhole frame seals, illegally connected roof or area drains, and any other opening.  The smoke is odorless, non-toxic, and non-staining and dissipates quickly.  It will not harm pets or plants or leave a residue, and people should not be alarmed if they see smoke in these areas.

For more information or to report an issue, call (830) 258-1231.