Go Back

Fog & Dye Program

Share Fog & Dye Program on Facebook Share Fog & Dye Program on Twitter Share Fog & Dye Program on Linkedin Email Fog & Dye Program link

Consultation has concluded

***UPDATE*** 2018/July/4 - The Fog Testing portion of this project is complete. Dye testing testing may commence later this week (Thursday/Friday July 5/6th, 2018).

The City of Welland is working with Civica Infrastructure on an Inflow and Infiltration (I/I) Reduction study. The study’s objectives are to identify sources of rainwater entering the sanitary sewers and develop a plan to reduce these flows.

The sanitary sewer system is an underground pipe network that collects wastewater produced by houses, businesses, and industries. The purpose of the pipe network is to direct the wastewater to a treatment plant where the water is treated before being discharged. I/I occurs when water enters the sanitary sewers through cracks or holes in the pipe network or through other undesired connections such as catch basins or roof downspouts. The increased flow and volume of rainwater and groundwater fills the pipes and reduces the capacity of the pipe network and the treatment plant. This also increases the risk of overloading the pipe network and potential basement flooding.

In order to identify sources of I/I, Civica Infrastructure, with support from the City, will be conducting a sewer fog and dye testing program in the in the neighbourhood situated between Southworth St and Coventry Rd / Simpson St and Morningstar Ave throughout the period of June – July 2018, between the hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fog and dye testing is a safe and easy way to locate any sources of I/I in the system.

What is fog testing?

The fog test consists of blowing a harmless coloured vapour into the sewer manholes and pipes and observing where the fog exits from the system. The fog is expected to exit primarily out of manholes on the street and the sewer plumbing stack at the top of your house. It is also possible for fog to exit stormwater catch basins and roof downspouts at the side of a house. The fog used in the test has no odour, isn’t harmful to your health, and will disappear after a few minutes.

The Fog and Dye Program is a pilot project that will be evaluated and considered to continue in other City of Welland neighbourhoods. Please join the conversation and ask the project manager questions in the Q&A section found below.

***UPDATE*** 2018/July/4 - The Fog Testing portion of this project is complete. Dye testing testing may commence later this week (Thursday/Friday July 5/6th, 2018).

The City of Welland is working with Civica Infrastructure on an Inflow and Infiltration (I/I) Reduction study. The study’s objectives are to identify sources of rainwater entering the sanitary sewers and develop a plan to reduce these flows.

The sanitary sewer system is an underground pipe network that collects wastewater produced by houses, businesses, and industries. The purpose of the pipe network is to direct the wastewater to a treatment plant where the water is treated before being discharged. I/I occurs when water enters the sanitary sewers through cracks or holes in the pipe network or through other undesired connections such as catch basins or roof downspouts. The increased flow and volume of rainwater and groundwater fills the pipes and reduces the capacity of the pipe network and the treatment plant. This also increases the risk of overloading the pipe network and potential basement flooding.

In order to identify sources of I/I, Civica Infrastructure, with support from the City, will be conducting a sewer fog and dye testing program in the in the neighbourhood situated between Southworth St and Coventry Rd / Simpson St and Morningstar Ave throughout the period of June – July 2018, between the hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fog and dye testing is a safe and easy way to locate any sources of I/I in the system.

What is fog testing?

The fog test consists of blowing a harmless coloured vapour into the sewer manholes and pipes and observing where the fog exits from the system. The fog is expected to exit primarily out of manholes on the street and the sewer plumbing stack at the top of your house. It is also possible for fog to exit stormwater catch basins and roof downspouts at the side of a house. The fog used in the test has no odour, isn’t harmful to your health, and will disappear after a few minutes.

The Fog and Dye Program is a pilot project that will be evaluated and considered to continue in other City of Welland neighbourhoods. Please join the conversation and ask the project manager questions in the Q&A section found below.