GALION, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—The City of Galion, in partnership with Wessler Engineering, will begin citywide smoke testing of its sanitary sewer system on June 10 to identify structural leaks and comply with Ohio Environmental Protection Agency mandates.
The initiative is part of an ongoing infrastructure study designed to reduce “Inflow and Infiltration” (I&I)—the process by which stormwater and groundwater inadvertently enter the municipal sanitary sewer network.
While Galion’s wastewater treatment plant processes an average of 1.3 million gallons of sewage water per day, heavy rainfall events introduce millions of additional gallons into the system via I&I. This excess volume overloads the sewer network, leading to inflated treatment costs, accelerated wear on mechanical pumps, and heightened risks of untreated sewage backing up into residential basements or overflowing into local waterways.
The testing process involves blowing a specialized liquid smoke into designated sections of the sanitary sewer system to pinpoint the exact locations of pipe fractures, cross-connections, and other defects. City officials emphasized that the smoke is manufactured specifically for this purpose and is completely non-toxic, non-staining, and harmless to residents, pets, food, and material goods, though it does carry a distinct oily odor.
Field crews will execute the project in phases over an estimated six-week period, weather permitting. Initial testing will concentrate on areas highlighted in red and gray on the official map published on the city’s website.
Municipal workers will distribute informational door hangers to affected properties before testing commences in any given neighborhood. Residents are not required to be at home while the tests are being conducted.
According to engineers, smoke should not enter residential properties if a home’s plumbing system is functioning properly. Residents may observe smoke emitting from rooftop plumbing vents, which indicates that the building’s sewer venting system is working as intended. If smoke does infiltrate a structure, it typically clears within a few minutes.
To minimize the likelihood of indoor smoke entry, public works officials recommend that residents take the following precautionary measures before June 10: — Run water through all sink faucets, showers, and floor drains, particularly those that are rarely used, to fill dry P-traps and J-tubes. — Keep all toilet lids tightly closed during the testing window. — Open doors and windows to facilitate rapid ventilation if smoke does enter the living space.
The City of Galion has posted an instructional video and detailed neighborhood maps on its official website to help residents visualize the process and prepare their properties.