News Flash Home
The original item was published from 11/9/2017 9:34:15 AM to 11/17/2017 12:00:01 AM.

News Flash

Municipal News & Announcements

Posted on: November 9, 2017

[ARCHIVED] Smoke Testing for Sanitary Sewer

City Seal

The City of Sanford Engineering Division has contracted with W.K. Dickson and Compliance EnviroSystems, LLC to conduct a physical survey of a portion of the sanitary sewer system. Over the next few days field crews, will be out conducting this work. View a map of affected areas.

The survey will involve opening and entering manholes in the streets and easements. An important task of the survey will be SMOKE TESTING of the sewer lines to locate breaks and defects in the sewer system. 

What to expect: Residents may see smoke coming from the vent stacks on houses or holes in the ground, This smoke is NON-TOXIC, HARMLESS, HAS NO ODOR, AND CREATES NO FIRE HAZARD.

How to prepare: If you have any seldom used drains, please pour water in the drain to fill the trap, which will prevent smoke from entering. Drain traps should always be filled with water to prevent sewer gases or odors from entering the building. The smoke should not enter your home unless you have defective plumbing or dried up drain traps. If this occurs, please call the City of Sanford at the numbers posted below.

Some sewer lines and manholes may be located on the backyard easement property line. Whenever these lines require investigation, members of the inspection crews will need access to the easements for the sewer lines and manholes. 

Important: Compliance EnviroSystems, LLC personnel are uniformed and carry identification. Homeowners do not need to be home and AT NO TIME WILL FIELD CREWS HAVE TO ENTER YOUR BUSINESS OR RESIDENCE. A City of Sanford construction inspector will accompany Compliance EnviroSystems, LLC should you have any questions or concerns.

We anticipate the smoke testing will require a few hours in the affected areas (see map). The information gained from this study will help the City identify areas of improvement in our sewer collection system.

For questions, please call:

  • City of Sanford Engineering Division – 919-777-1118/919-777-1122 
  • Van Johnson, City of Sanford Construction Inspector – 919-777-3722 
  • Compliance EnviroSystems, LCC – 1-800-675-9409

Facebook Twitter Email

Other News in Municipal News & Announcements

Resident Guide to Municipal Services

City Releases 2026 Guide to City Services

Posted on: February 19, 2026
Storm Response Gianna

City of Sanford Provides Update on ‘Gianna’ Response

Posted on: February 6, 2026 | Last Modified on: February 16, 2026
Healthiest Employers of the Triangle Award Winner

City of Sanford Holds Onto 'Healthiest Employer' Title

Posted on: October 3, 2025 | Last Modified on: October 3, 2025
Participatory Budgeting Results

Concrete Games Coming to Sanford’s Parks

Posted on: September 10, 2025
Safe Streets Survey Open in Lee County, Sanford, and Broadway

Safe Streets Survey Open in Lee County, Sanford, and Broadway

Posted on: June 23, 2025 | Last Modified on: July 9, 2025
RFP Parks

City Moving Forward with Park Renovation

Posted on: February 5, 2025
150 Trees Program

150 Trees to Celebrate 150 Years

Posted on: July 25, 2024
TriRiver Water Logo

TriRiver Water FAQs Now Available

Posted on: May 9, 2024 | Last Modified on: May 9, 2024
Fire Station Groundbreaking

Sanford Breaks Ground on New Fire Station

Posted on: September 4, 2023
Womens History Sanford

Remembering the late Jackie Pearce

Posted on: March 22, 2023
Zencity Project Hub

City Launches Project Hub

Posted on: March 20, 2023
Sanford Black History

Remembering the late Walter McNeil, Jr.

Posted on: February 24, 2023
Fire Department

Sanford Hires New Fire Chief

Posted on: August 10, 2022
Street Piano

Street Pianos Coming to Downtown Sanford

Posted on: November 1, 2021

Charlie Watson Lane Rededication Planned For Wednesday

Posted on: March 14, 2014 | Last Modified on: July 23, 2024
Tree City USA

Sanford Named Tree City USA

Posted on: February 10, 2014 | Last Modified on: July 23, 2024

Benjamin Moore To Start Work In Sanford

Posted on: November 22, 2013 | Last Modified on: July 23, 2024

Voters Pass Bond Referendum

Posted on: September 11, 2013
City Seal

Residents To Vote On City's Development Future

Posted on: May 27, 2013 | Last Modified on: July 23, 2024

Depot Park Train Gets A Brand New Look

Posted on: February 22, 2013
parks

Greenway Forum Recap

Posted on: February 1, 2013

SPD Offers Pill Drop Box

Posted on: January 22, 2013
City Seal

City Saves $145K Thanks To Donated Generator

Posted on: January 18, 2013 | Last Modified on: July 23, 2024
City Seal

SPD Offers Virtual Access To Reports

Posted on: January 14, 2013
Sanford Parks News

Sanford Is Becoming Even More Playful

Posted on: January 3, 2013 | Last Modified on: July 29, 2024