Smoke Testing Program
Every year, the City of Minneapolis conducts smoke testing in different areas of Minneapolis to find cracks, leaks, or faulty connections that allow rainwater into the sanitary sewer system. We do smoke testing in various locations between April and November. See more information about smoke testing and our planned test locations below.
About Smoke Testing
Smoke testing is used to find cracks, leaks or faulty connections that allow rainwater into the sanitary sewer system. These rainwater connections can overwhelm the sewer system during larger storm events and can cause Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) to the Mississippi River. The smoke testing project is a part of the City's CSO Program which includes sanitary sewer repairs and upgrades aimed at eliminating CSO. Although the City has significantly reduced the occurrence of CSO more progress is needed to comply with the Federal Clean Water Act and to avoid fines and or additional surcharges for wastewater treatment. Since 2007 the City has been smoke testing as part of its work to eliminate stormwater connections to sanitary sewers, minimize risks of combined sewer overflow, and meet state and federal requirements based on the Clean Water Act.
More about Smoke Testing
Smoke Testing Questions & Answers
Smoke Testing Progress since 2007
What to expect
Smoke testing will be completed in various locations between the months of April and November. Smoke tests last approximately 30 minutes. Traffic impacts should be minor; there may be short-term lane closures and some parking restrictions.
See planned smoke testing locations below to see what may be planned near you.
Locations
2020 Smoke Testing Areas
2019 Smoke Testing Areas
2018 Smoke Testing Areas
2017 Smoke Testing Areas
Project Areas:
See Detailed Map for area details.
2016 Smoke Testing Areas
Project Areas:
See Detailed Map for area details.
Contacts
Pat Cornelius, main contact; [email protected] or 612-673-3254
Mike Balvin, Field Testing Supervisor; [email protected] or 612-430-4184
Kelly MacIntyre, Project Engineer; [email protected] or 612-673-3626
Last updated Apr 6, 2020
