HomeMy WebLinkAbout0550.093October 14, 1993
THE HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
Palo Alto l California
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Storm pra1n __ Smoke Testing Program
Members of the Council:
.Report in Brief:
This is an informational rsport on the City's storm drain smoke
testing program. No council action is required.
One of tbe objectives of the City's nonpoint $ource pollution
control program is to eliminate illicit connections (e.g. sanitary
sewage or industr i~l 'Waste) to the storm drain system.
Approximately 500 undocumented storm drain connections were
identified by televising the inside of pipes as part of a condition
assessment of the system. Aftar conducting a search of available
records and vi$iting each site, ~he source of most of the
connections 'Was determined. However/ there are approximately 90
connections 'Which could not be traced to a specific source. In
order to identify the source of these remaining connections, staff
has directed its consultant to conduct a smoke testing program.
BackgrGund
Smoke testing consists of pressurizing nsmoke" into a section of
storm drain that conta ins an undocumented connection. The smoke is
a ~ixture of zir.c chloride and atmospheric moisture. It is not
hartllful to people or pets and will not enter a building unless the
plull1bing is illegaly connected to the storm drain. nle escaping
smoke will pinpoint the. source of the connection (e.g. private
catch basin, building Loof drain, building sewer vent, etc.).
The smoke testing program will be conducted over a three to four
'WeelC. period, beginning October 17, 1993. Test ing in cOlllInercial
areas will be done on Sunday mornings in order to minimi 7.e the
impact on businesses.. Testing in other areas will be performed
Tuesdays th~ough Fridays. In order to inform all affected
reside~ts and businesses~ the consultant ~ill distribute two sets
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of written notices. The jnitial n·;;.tice ... ill be delivered one week
in advance~ 'With a follow-up notice 24 hours prior to the testing.
The first set of notices ..... as delivered on October 12, 1993. The
notices answer some basic questions about the procedure and give a
telephone number to call fer further information. In addition I
communications, Police, Fire and Public ,",,'orks staff have been
briefed on the program and have fact sheets to respond to public
inquiries. City staff .... ill be updated as to the location of smol<e
testing on a daily basis.
Respectfully submitted,
JOE TERESI
Senior Engineer
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cit:y Manager
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