Fog Testing

I&I affects all residents, property owners, and business owners in Maple Ridge. Reducing I&I will reduce the likelihood of sewage backups and overflows to the environment during heavy rain events. In addition, it will help the City keep down sewage treatment utility costs.

On the day of the fog testing, crews will install fans at maintenance holes to push the fog through the sanitary sewer system. They will observe where the fog exits the system; generally, the fog will exit the system through maintenance holes, parking lot drains, and sanitary sewer vent stacks on the roofs of properties.

If the fog enters your property, it means a p-trap (u-shaped pipe below a drain) in your property is empty or there is a defect in your private sanitary or drainage connection. Please notify the crews outside or contact 236-613-3821 or JBarker@MapleRidge.ca.

The fog is not harmful—it is safe for people, animals, and plants and will not leave a residue behind. If necessary, open doors and windows and move outside until it dissipates.

Single-lane alternating traffic will be in effect where the crew is operating.

To keep the fog within the sanitary sewer system and prevent it from entering your building, ensure all p-traps in drains are filled with water.

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P-traps are bends in the plumbing system that are usually filled with water, preventing the backflow of sewage gases into a building. If a drain is seldom used, the water in the p-trap can evaporate over time. Before the fog testing, pour at least four cups of water down any seldom-used drains to ensure the p-traps are full.

Mar-Tech Underground Services Ltd. has been retained to carry out the current round of fog testing.

The project manager is James Barker. You can contact him at 236-613-3821 or JBarker@MapleRidge.ca.