Dorchester County Water & Sewer is conducting smoke testing in The Glen at Summerset and Brookwood subdivisions located in the unincorporated Knightsville area of Dorchester County.

Smoke testing will take place during the hours of 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM, Monday – Friday, except for observed holidays, beginning January 1, 2020 - March 31, 2020.

Smoke testing is a common test used in the utility industry to determine if there are leaks and/or cracks in the underground wastewater lines. A machine is used to force smoke into a sewer line through a manhole. If there is an underground break in the line, the smoke will rise out of that break.

The smoke is non-toxic and odorless. It does not stain materials and is harmless to pets.

Residents in the above-mentioned area are asked to contact the Dorchester County Water & Sewer Department at (843) 832-0075 or (843) 563-0075 with any/all questions. 

Map

The area highlighted in yellow on the below map is the area that smoke testing will be performed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is smoke testing?

Smoke testing is a common test used in the utility industry to determine if there are leaks and/or cracks in the underground wastewater lines. A machine is used to force smoke into a sewer line through a manhole. If there is an underground break in the line, the smoke will rise out of that break.

Is the smoke harmful?

The smoke is not harmful. The smoke is non-toxic and odorless. It doesn't stain materials and is harmless to pets.

What should I do to prepare for the smoke testing?

There is a possibility that smoke may come into your residence. In order to minimize the chance of this occurring, you can run water in all your drains for a short period of time to ensure that all the S-shaped traps contain water. If the smoke gets into the interior of the home, you can open the windows to allow the smoke to dissipate faster.