Those in the western portion of East Windsor with heart or lung conditions are advised to stay away on May 17.
By: David Pescatore
EAST WINDSOR The East Windsor Municipal Utilities Authority will be conducting smoke testing of gravity sewers in the western portion of the township on Saturday, May 17.
Residents with heart or lung conditions who live in the area are advised to go and enjoy the outdoors during the testing because people who remain indoors could be exposed to "smoke."
The tests will be performed between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., affecting 275 homes on Pebble Road, Vintage Drive, Spyglass Court, Wyndmoor Drive, Monroe Court, Scott Road, Wilmor Drive, Oakmont Terrace and Oakmont Court.
The EWMUA performs the test by releasing a concentrated mist (the smoking agent) into the sewer, which is forced through sewers with an air blower. In most cases, the smoke works through the system and escapes through a home’s roof vent. The smoke would not enter a home unless there was a leak or broken connection within the house’s internal plumbing, or an improperly installed fixture.
"The smoke is more like the fog you would use if you had pests, or like disco smoke," said Chuck Wolverton, the township’s wastewater superintendent. "There are no health concerns. It will not harm pets or leave any residue."
The smoke is not a true smoke, but a mist containing a large percentage of atmospheric moisture formed with zinc chloride and other byproducts of combustion such as free carbon. People with heart or lung conditions should never be exposed to smoke of any kind. Therefore, the EWMUA recommends that homeowners with these conditions should plan to be away from the property during the testing period.
The testing was initiated 10 years ago to locate possible routes of entry for sewer gasses into homes or businesses, and to locate sources of groundwater entry into the sanitary sewer system.
EWMUA employees will poll every homeowner in the testing area to ask if there is any smoke seeping into their houses.
"It is nothing other than a benefit for the homeowner to know if there is smoke because that means that there is a problem with their plumbing," Mr. Wolverton said.
The township is not responsible for repairs to a home’s internal plumbing. Homeowners are not obligated to make any repairs.
The township also is not responsible for the clean-out caps or the lateral plumbing connecting to the sewer.
"Clean-out caps" are the round pipes that may stick out of the ground near a home. They typically are about 6 inches in diameter and may have a raised square on top for removal. They may be made of PVC or brass and are often damaged by lawnmowers.
"These caps are often overlooked," Mr. Wolverton said. "If they are damaged or missing, ground water can seep in or trash can get down there. A soda can down there can make for a costly repair for the homeowner."
The caps are used as entry points for clearing blockages between the home and the sewer.
While not directly costly for the homeowner, groundwater is a concern for the EWMUA.
"When groundwater seeps into the system it takes up capacity at our treatment plant. The plant is designed to handle X number of lines and if we exceed that amount, the plant would have to be enlarged. That would obviously be costly for all taxpayers," Mr. Wolverton said.
In case of rain, the testing will be performed on May 24.
For more information, call the East Windsor Municipal Utilities Authority at 443-6000.

