Fort Erie begins smoke tests of sewers in four neighbourhoods

Residents in parts of Fort Erie shouldn’t be alarmed if they see smoke rising from drains and manholes over the next few weeks.

The town has hired 3BP Inc. to conduct smoke testing of the sanitary sewer system in the Alliston, Nigh Road, Stevensville and Lakeshore neighbourhoods. The first round of testing was scheduled to begin July 27 and continue to August 7. A second round is scheduled for August 10 to 14.

Crews blow smoke into the sewer lines, then walk the streets above and record every spot where it comes out. That tells the town where roof downspouts, catch basins and other water inlets are connected.

The smoke has no odour and clears within minutes, according to the town’s resident notice. The town says it does no harm to people, pets, clothing, drapes or furniture, though it may make a person cough.

Residents are asked to pour a few cups of water down every drain in the house before crews reach their street, including basement floor drains, sinks and showers.

Each street is tested once, and the town says the work should take about two hours per street.

Smoke that turns up inside a house usually traces back to a dry plumbing trap, the water seal in the bend of a drain pipe. The town says the same gap can let sewer gas into the home the rest of the year.

Anyone who sees smoke indoors is asked to note where it came from, pour water down that drain and open a window for ventilation. Dylan Gallant, the field inspection lead with 3BP, will then visit the address.

Residents with a health condition crews should know about are asked to call the town’s project manager, Ryan Lemay.

The fire department will be told which streets are being tested. Anyone unsure about the source of smoke is asked to call 911, and the fire department will determine whether the testing caused it.

Fort Erie’s sanitary sewers were built to carry sewage to the treatment plant, but rain gets in through downspouts connected to the wrong pipe and through cracks in aging pipe. In a heavy storm where rainwater fills space meant for sewage, and the town says the loss of capacity raises the risk of basement flooding and of sewage overflowing into the environment.

Fort Erie carried out the same tests last summer under the 2025 Trenchless Rehabilitation Program. Gallant told Fort Erie Radio in September that the results were going into a report for council that could shape plans to prevent basement flooding and overflows.

The town says property owners will be contacted only if the testing finds something to report.

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