Stormwater Intrusion Detection Program
Program of Smoke Testing to Identify Stormwater Intrusion into the Community Waste Water System (CWMS)
The Mount Barker District Council owns and operates Community Wastewater Management Systems (CWMS) for the townships of Mount Barker, Littlehampton, Nairne, Echunga, Meadows, and Macclesfield. Each of these schemes experience issues in the wetter months due to the unauthorized ingress of storm water. Ingress of storm water places unnecessary strain on these schemes and additional costs are incurred through the delivery and the treatment of the additional water entering the system.
Council has now adopted a storm water detection program to better manage and reduce the ingress of storm water into the CWMS.
Council has also commenced an inspection program of its own infrastructure to identify any areas where stormwater might be entering the system through cracked/broken mains, manholes, pipe crossings over water courses etc.
A smoke testing program to audit all properties connected to CWMS will complement these activities. Artificially generated smoke will be flushed through the pipe network. The smoke enables breaks, cracks, pipe defects and stormwater connections to be detected. Smoke emanating from a house gutters or downpipes provides an obvious link to the septic tank and CWMS network. The generated smoke is commonly used for entertainment venues, and is low temperature, non-toxic, odourless and dissipates within a few minutes.
The Questions and Answers Flyer provides examples showing where stormwater has been incorrectly plumbed. Property owners are urged to review how stormwater is plumbed at their property prior to smoke testing being undertaken.
Questions and Answers - Sewer, Community Wastewater Management Systems and Stormwater
Where properties are identified to be incorrectly plumbed, a letter will be sent to the property owner to advise of the results of the smoke testing. Council will require remedial works to be undertaken within a reasonable timeframe.