CARY, NC – With this year’s wastewater collection system leak testing complete, Town of Cary officials will now deal with more than 400 public and private locations—about 40 percent private and 60 percent public--where surface water is likely entering the Town’s wastewater collection system and sewer odors may be inappropriately leaving the system. The testing, which ran from mid August to late September, included about 1,200 manholes and 42 miles of sewer lines in the areas bordered by Southwest Maynard Road to US 1/Hwy 64, Kildaire Farm Road west to Lake Pine Drive.

When stormwater or other surface water leaks into the sewer system, it travels down to the treatment facilities and is processed along with the raw sewage. While treating the stormwater is not harmful, the excess water takes up precious treatment capacity of the plant, capacity that is needed for sewage treatment. Limiting infiltration helps extend the life of a treatment facility.

Missing clean out caps accounted for the majority of this year’s problems. Sewer clean out caps are located in the sewer service line between the home and the Town’s main sewer line and serve as an access for clearing system blockages. While some homes have only one clean out, many—especially newer homes—have one clean out within a few feet of the house and another near the street. Where problems have been detected, the Town will assist the homeowner by maintaining the clean out cap nearest the sewer main line, and the property owner must maintain the cap nearest the home. These caps can be purchased at most local hardware and building supply centers. However, some repairs may require assistance by a professional plumber.

"Making these repairs contributes to a more efficient and environmentally-friendly wastewater collection system," said Sam Tingler, Cary’s Superintendent of Utility Systems Maintenance. "Limiting excess rainwater helps prevent system overflows and prolongs the life of the wastewater plants."

In addition to missing clean out caps, common problems detected by smoke testing include:

2.improperly installed, defective, or missing traps under sinks, tubs, basins, showers and other drains;

3.damaged, defective, or improperly installed pipe, connections, and seals of the wastewater system.

Cary’s Public Works & Utilities Department conducted the leak tests by introducing detection smoke into neighborhood sewer lines. Cary used a special, non-toxic smoke that is manufactured for leak tests and, therefore, leaves no residuals or stains and has no effect on plants and animals. Last year the Town tested the area in and around Maynard loop, south of Walnut Street, Buck Jones Road, Chatham Street, Academy Street, and Harrison Avenue. In all, last year’s tests covered over 1000 manholes and 38 miles of sewer lines and found over 200 problem points.

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