JOHNSON CITY — As part of the Water and Sewer Services Department’s comprehensive maintenance program, crews will begin smoke testing sanitary sewer lines in the Brush Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant collection system next week. Smoke testing helps the City determine points where, during rain events, extra water can enter the system.

Crews will begin on Buffalo Road near the Pine Oaks Golf Course from Cherokee Road to Boggs Lane.

Testing will then continue in the areas of:

• Cherokee Road from University Parkway to near the intersection of Paty Drive

• Thrush Drive and Beech Drive

• University Place

• Wexford Place Condominiums

• College Heights Drive

• Galen Drive

• Southwest Avenue from College Heights Drive to Cherokee Road

• Merrywood Drive

• Concord Street

• Scenic Drive

• Buccaneer Drive

• Rural Ridge Subdivision

• Alpine Road

• Parkwood Lane

• Cherokee Valley Subdivision

• Cherokee Ridge Condominiums

• Cherokee Hills Subdivision

• Tunbridge Subdivision

• Strawberry Lane

• Sinking Creek Road near Savannah Drive to Cherokee Road

• Miller Lane

• David Miller Road

• Berea Drive and Spencer Lane

• Shadybrook Drive

• Hickory Lake

• Pleasant View Drive

• Jared Drive

• Rolling Hills Drive

• Rolling Hills Subdivision

• Arbor Drive

Smoke testing is expected to continue through the end of December.

During the test, City crews will send white smoke designed for this type of testing into the sanitary sewer system by blowing it into a manhole. It is then forced out through lines and cracks, openings, or plumbing vents on or near rooftops. The smoke is safe, odorless, non-toxic and non-staining.

Testing can provide a service to homeowners. If home plumbing systems are correctly installed and well-vented with working water traps, smoke should not enter the home. If smoke enters your home, there are deficiencies in your plumbing system. Please call 461-1646 for more information.