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The Tullahoma Utilities Authority is giving notice to customers that it will be performing smoke testing to the sanitary sewer system on Tues, Oct. 17.

“As part of its program to eliminate the inflow and infiltration of groundwater and rainfall into the sanitary sewer system, the Tullahoma Utilities Authority will perform smoke testing in your neighborhood,” TUA officials said. “The testing in your area should last a few days.”

The purpose of the procedure, according to a statement from TUA, is to find locations in the sanitary sewer mains and customer connections where water might enter the system.  The procedure is done by forcing a non-noxious smoke into the lines as far as back to the customers’ plumbing.

“If you have any floor drains or plumbing fixtures that are not routinely used, run or pour water into the drains to assure there is water in the drain traps,” the statement read. “This will minimize the chance of smoke entering your house. Please inform TUA personnel if smoke does appear. It is normal for smoke to exit plumbing vents on building rooftops.”

The city of Tullahoma Sewer Use Ordinance, Sec. 18-105, Part 3 requires that property owners correct any problems should the smoke test or visual inspection show that the building sewer service line is defective or that roof drains, foundation drains, basement drains or other source of rainwater, surface runoff or groundwater enter the sanitary sewer system.

TUA officials said it needs the customers’ cooperation to make the program a success. Any customer with questions are asked to call TUA at 931-455-4515.