City of Harrisonburg begins annual wastewater testing

HARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) – The City of Harrisonburg Utilities Department began its annual smoke test of the sewer system on September 9th.

The test involves releasing non-toxic, non-staining smoke into the sewer system to detect any leaks or breaks in the infrastructure.

This year’s testing will be conducted at several locations, including 3rd Street, Main Street and Commerce Drive. Businesses such as George’s Foods, Harrisonburg Public Transportation and the Rockingham County Government Center will also conduct smoke testing in their area.

The city stresses that the smoke is not dangerous, but residents should contact the utility department if they have concerns or observe problems during testing.

“If you don’t see any smoke, it means everything is going as it should. If you see smoke in your house or in your yard, you need to mark the spot where you saw smoke. [the smoke] and contact a plumber because that probably means your line is broken,” said Harrisonburg City Communications Director Michael Parks.

Parks added that the goal of the testing is to ensure the integrity of the city’s sewer system and make necessary repairs if leaks or breaks are discovered.

Residents are advised to learn about the tests and their purpose to avoid unnecessary alarms if smoke is observed in their area. Click here to see a complete list of testing areas and tips for residents should the non-toxic gas enter their spaces. Anyone with questions can contact Harrisonburg Public Utilities at 540-434-9959.

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