UPPER LAKE, Calif. – The Lake County Sanitation District (LACOSAN) will be initiating this season’s round of wastewater collection system inspections in the coming weeks.
This year will include smoke testing inspections starting with approximately 50,000 lineal feet of the sewer collection system in Upper Lake.
Smoke testing involves use of non-toxic liquid smoke that leaves no residual and pinpoints potential leaks in sewer lines.
Leak detection and subsequent repairs have a significant impact on minimizing spills throughout the year.
Miksis Services Inc., specializing in leak detection, and LACOSAN crews will be introducing smoke under pressure into the system through the manholes.
“Smoke is introduced approximately every 400 to 800 feet,” said Special Districts Administrator Mark Dellinger. “If there is a leak in the sewer system, the smoke will find its way to the ground surface, showing our crews where problems exist. Smoke is also visible where there are leaks such as private cleanouts that are not capped properly. We’ve seen many cleanouts that are not capped off.”
Additional common problems detected are rain gutters and roof vents that are illegally connected to the cleanout to avoid flooding yards. All of these contribute to excess rain water entering the collection system. Additionally, if a building’s drain system is faulty, smoke may appear in the building.
“It’s difficult to quantify the exact savings resulting from smoke testing but we do know that all preventive measures taken now will reduce inflow and the amount of storm water treated at the wastewater treatment plant,” said Dellinger. “This method of regular inspection ensures continued proper operation of the collection system.”
In addition, homeowners are encouraged to do their part by doing the following:
- Inspect the rain gutters on your house to see if the downspout connects to a sewer line. Such connections are illegal. If the gutter downspouts are connected to the sewer line, have them disconnected – the large amount of water from the roof can cause a sewage spill. The rainwater needs to be directed onto your lawn and/or to the storm drain system.
- Look for and visually inspect your sewer cleanout. The cleanout is usually a small pipe, about 4 inches in diameter, outside your house that is used to access the sewer lateral for cleaning. You will normally find it near the house (where the sewer lateral comes out) and/or near the property line (where the sewer lateral connects to the main sewer line). Make sure the cap to the cleanout pipe is not missing and has not been damaged (such as by a lawn mower). Replace missing caps so that rainwater cannot get into the sewer line.
- Check to see that outdoor patio, deck or yard drains are not connected to the sewer. Also, be sure that pool or pond overflow drains are not connected to the sewer. These connections are prohibited by the Lake County Sewer Use Ordinance.
LACOSAN is appreciative of the cooperation shown by the community during collection system inspection and testing.
Residents are encouraged to take an active interest while observing the procedure, asking questions and taking time to explore potential corrective actions on their property.
Special Districts provides water and wastewater services in many areas of Lake County.
Any individuals with questions about smoke testing or any work that we do are encouraged to contact the LACOSAN Administrative Office at 707-263-0119.