Next Tuesday, Sept. 29, the Perry Public Works Department will conduct a smoke test on a portion of the city’s sanitary sewer system. The area to be tested is bounded by Willis Avenue on the south, Pattee Street on the north, Seventh Street on the west and 11th Street on the east.
The rain date will be Wednesday, Sept. 30.
According to a statement issued Thursday by Perry City Hall, a smoke-test survey assists inspection crews in locating breaks and defects in the sewer system.
Residents in the area will see whitish-gray smoke coming from the vent stacks on housetops or from holes in the ground.
The smoke is non-toxic, non-staining and odorless. It does not create a fire hazard.
The smoke should not enter your home unless you have defective plumbing or dried up drain traps. Homeowners are advised to pour a gallon of water into each floor drain prior to the testing.
If smoke enters your home, there is good reason to assume that dangerous sewer gases may also be entering your home. You should evacuate immediately and notify the work crews.
If you are not home at the time of the test and discover smoke when you return, please call Perry City Hall at 515-465-2481.
Please note: If any person in your home or business has respiratory problems and is immobile, notify Perry City Hall at 515-465-2481 prior to testing.