Smoke Testing Sewers in Oak Ridges

The City of Richmond Hill is working with Aquafor Beech Limited and Infrastructure Intelligence Services Inc. (I2S) on an Inflow and Infiltration (I/I) Reduction study. The study’s objectives are to identify sources of stormwater entering the sanitary sewers and develop a plan to reduce these flows.

The sanitary sewer system is an underground pipe network that collects wastewater produced by houses, businesses, and industries. The purpose of the pipe network is to direct the wastewater to a treatment plant where the water is treated before being discharged into Lake Ontario. I/I occurs when water enters the sanitary sewers through cracks or holes in the pipe network or through other undesired connections such as catch basins or roof downspouts. The increased flow and volume from stormwater and groundwater fills the pipes and reduces the capacity of the pipe network and the treatment plant. This also increases the risk of overloading the pipe network and potential basement flooding.

I2S will be conducting a sewer smoke testing program in your neighborhood from July 13 – October 13, between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday.