Empire Avenue Sewer Vapour Testing

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The sewer vapour testing has concluded. 

A blue water main pipe resting on grass

The City of St. John’s will be undertaking Sewer Vapour Testing as part of the Empire Avenue Sewer Separation Study. The project area extends along Empire Avenue from Columbus Drive to Water Street, including adjacent streets. See Project Area Map for specific locations. Testing is required to identify areas of the sewer system that need upgrades.

Work is scheduled to start the week of October 17 and is anticipated to be completed in approximately 5 days. Sewer vapour testing along each section of street will only take 1 to 2 hours to complete. Note that the schedule is subject to change due to weather conditions and work progress.

NOTE: Completion of sewer vapour testing at the east end of the project area will extend into the week of Oct 24th.

Testing will be conducted by consultant RV Anderson and Biomaxx Environmental for the City of St. John’s. A large fan is placed over manholes in the street to blow artificially produced, non-toxic water vapour into the sewer system. Crews then walk the street and onto properties and use aerial drones to record locations where vapour is observed exiting the system.

While the water vapour is white and resembles smoke, it is not smoke and is not harmful to humans, pets, or plants, and will not stain clothing, drapes, or furniture. It may make you cough, as any vapour can be an irritant. If vapour enters into your home, exit your home immediately and notify the testing crew in the area, contact Access St. John’s at 311 or 754-CITY (2489), or email access@stjohns.ca.

The vapour should not enter your home unless there is a deficiency within the plumbing system of your residence. If the vapour enters your home, it could be the result of:

  • damaged, or improper plumbing,
  • infrequently used drains that have dried out over time,
  • uncapped pipping rough-ins.

Service interruptions are not expected as a result of the sewer vapour testing.

Workers will be accessing manholes and there will be flag persons on site; traffic disruptions will be minimal.

You can find information related to the project under the Documents section on this page. Have a look through the Frequently Asked Questions and if you still have questions, you can post them in the Questions and Answers tool.

This page is not intended to replace other information such as Public Advisories or Public Notices (e-updates). For day-to-day updates such as traffic or water interruptions, etc. check the City's website. To keep informed of the city’s traffic advisories please sign up for e-updates.

The City of St. John’s will be undertaking Sewer Vapour Testing as part of the Empire Avenue Sewer Separation Study. The project area extends along Empire Avenue from Columbus Drive to Water Street, including adjacent streets. See Project Area Map for specific locations. Testing is required to identify areas of the sewer system that need upgrades.

Work is scheduled to start the week of October 17 and is anticipated to be completed in approximately 5 days. Sewer vapour testing along each section of street will only take 1 to 2 hours to complete. Note that the schedule is subject to change due to weather conditions and work progress.

NOTE: Completion of sewer vapour testing at the east end of the project area will extend into the week of Oct 24th.

Testing will be conducted by consultant RV Anderson and Biomaxx Environmental for the City of St. John’s. A large fan is placed over manholes in the street to blow artificially produced, non-toxic water vapour into the sewer system. Crews then walk the street and onto properties and use aerial drones to record locations where vapour is observed exiting the system.

While the water vapour is white and resembles smoke, it is not smoke and is not harmful to humans, pets, or plants, and will not stain clothing, drapes, or furniture. It may make you cough, as any vapour can be an irritant. If vapour enters into your home, exit your home immediately and notify the testing crew in the area, contact Access St. John’s at 311 or 754-CITY (2489), or email access@stjohns.ca.

The vapour should not enter your home unless there is a deficiency within the plumbing system of your residence. If the vapour enters your home, it could be the result of:

  • damaged, or improper plumbing,
  • infrequently used drains that have dried out over time,
  • uncapped pipping rough-ins.

Service interruptions are not expected as a result of the sewer vapour testing.

Workers will be accessing manholes and there will be flag persons on site; traffic disruptions will be minimal.

You can find information related to the project under the Documents section on this page. Have a look through the Frequently Asked Questions and if you still have questions, you can post them in the Questions and Answers tool.

This page is not intended to replace other information such as Public Advisories or Public Notices (e-updates). For day-to-day updates such as traffic or water interruptions, etc. check the City's website. To keep informed of the city’s traffic advisories please sign up for e-updates.

The sewer vapour testing has concluded. 

Can't find what you are looking for on this page? Post your question here or reach out to the project lead.