Smoke Testing in Turner Creek Sanitary Sewers to Begin September 11

Hillsboro, OR — September 8, 2006 — Ongoing work to repair and rehabilitate the Turner Creek sanitary sewer system in Hillsboro will include smoke testing to begin on Monday, September 11. Clean Water Services crews will inject a non-toxic smoke into sanitary sewers to reveal points that might need repair. The first smoke testing will be in the vicinity of Tualatin Valley Highway and SE13th Avenue. The testing will continue for approximately three weeks, within the area bounded on the north by Grant Street and on the south by TV Highway, roughly between SE 11th Avenue and NE 24th Avenue. The testing includes the Sunset Esplanade and the mobile home community south of TV Highway and west of Minter Bridge Road. Not all streets within this general area will be affected, so residents should look for the notification that will be left on the front door of all affected buildings prior to the smoke testing.

Crews will pump the harmless smoke into the sewer system from a manhole, and watch for it to come out the roof vent of each building. They will note where there are problems, and work with property owners to correct them. Smoke that enters a building is not harmful to plants and animals, and leaves no residue or stains, but can be alarming to unsuspecting occupants and pets. For additional information about the smoke testing, please contact Clean Water Services' Field Operations facility at (503) 547-8100 between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Clean Water Services is working in partnership with the City of Hillsboro to repair and rehabilitate the Turner Creek sanitary sewer system. Please see the attached background information on this project.

Clean Water Services is a water resource management utility for more than 480,000 people in urban Washington County and small portions of Multnomah County, Clackamas County, Lake Oswego, and Portland. Clean Water Services operates four wastewater treatment facilities, constructs and maintains flood management and water quality projects, and manages flow in the Tualatin River to improve water quality and protect fish habitat. Although Clean Water Services maintains a close working relationship with Washington County government, it is a separately managed and financed public utility.

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