Beginning Tuesday, July 28, 2020, the Town of Sims and NC Rural Water Association will be conducting SMOKE TESTING of our community’s sanitary sewer system. While we hope to perform all testing July 28 and 29, we may have delays and need to continue our work through August 10. Smoke testing locates breaks and defects in the sewer system, as well as places where storm and other surface waters are entering sanitary sewers.

You can expect to see the crew opening manholes in your area. Smoke testing can cause smoke to exit the sewer system through the vent stacks on houses or holes in the ground. While most residents will never see the smoke, the Town of Sims wants you to have as much information as possible about the testing. Smoke testing is a process endorsed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. A special non-toxic harmless smoke will be used in these leak tests. The smoke is manufactured for this purpose and, therefore, has little odor, creates no fire hazard, leaves no residuals or stains and has no effect on plants and animals. The "smoke" is not true smoke but rather a specially-formulated mist that is made up mostly of moisture from the atmosphere.

The smoke should not enter your home or business unless you have defective plumbing or dried up drain traps. Should smoke enter your home or business, please contact a member of the smoke testing crew working in the area or call Town Hall at 237-4226. They will be able to provide you with additional information regarding the smoke entering your home or business. Any visible mist indoors will dissipate within a few minutes with adequate ventilation.

If you have any seldom-used drains, they may be dry and thus allow the smoke to enter your building. Please pour a gallon of water in the drain to fill the trap. Drain traps should always be filled with water to prevent sewer gases or odors from entering the building.

You do not need to be present and the crew will not need to enter your building. If your property is not owner-occupied, we ask that you help us by forwarding this important information to anyone living or working there. If you have any questions, please contact Town Hall at 237-4226.

Please click here for FAQs regarding sanitary sewer smoke testing.