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Infiltration/Inflow Source Removal Program
Last updated: September 13, 2021
Smoke testing is now complete! Thank you!
The Framingham Department of Public Works will begin conducting Sanitary Sewer Smoke Testing Wednesday, September 1st, to investigate sources of rainwater and groundwater (inflow and infiltration) that are entering the sanitary sewer system.
Smoke testing will be conducted in WestERN Framingham bounded By:
- Pleasant Street
- Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90)
- Route 9 (Worcester Road)
- Temple Street
- Southborough town line
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE & MAP
Smoke testing will be conducted by Weston & Sampson and is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, September 1, Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. (excluding holidays). Testing operations are weather-dependent. If inclement weather occurs, you may receive another door hanger two days prior to testing.
View a larger version of the overall map here or click on the map photo below.
Schedule updates will be provided at the close of each business day.
DO I NEED TO PREPARE FOR TESTING? WILL SMOKE ENTER MY HOME/BUSINESS?
Smoke should not enter your premises unless there is a dry trap in an unused fixture or a plumbing defect. You may wish to pour two gallons of water down your basement floor drain or unused plumbing fixture to ensure that the drain trap (bend in piping under the fixture) will be effective. If smoke does enter your property, please notify the Weston and Sampson crew right away, which will be located outside your home/business.
WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN TESTING IS CONDUCTED:
White smoke will be visible from structures located in the road (manhole covers, catch basin drains) and plumbing vent pipes from roof surfaces. Seeing smoke outside is normal and should not cause alarm.
| 1) Smoke blowers and smoke candles will be placed into sewer manholes in the roadway | 2) Smoke will be visible, such as plumbing vent stacks on roofs. | 3) Smoke escapes from a catch basin drain structure. | 4) Personnel monitor where smoke escapes and records their findings. |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Please view our most frequently asked questions about this program here.
NOTIFICATIONS TO RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES
Paper notifications are planned to be distributed to residents and businesses located in affected areas two days before testing is scheduled to occur. People with health concerns and/or respiratory issues, such as emphysema or asthma, who are notified about testing near their neighborhood should avoid direct exposure to the smoke, as it may cause irritation. If you have a related health condition, please notify Weston & Sampson at (508) 250-0245 before testing commences.
INFILTRATION/INFLOW SOURCE REMOVAL PROJECT OVERVIEW
The Infiltration/Inflow/ (I/I) Source Removal Program is a multi-year/multi-phase project that will investigate sources of I/I throughout the City of Framingham.
The City is required by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) to identify and remove sources of rainwater runoff and groundwater that enter the sanitary sewer system.
Inflow is rainwater or groundwater that enters the sewer system through a direct, piped connection or leaking manhole covers. It is clean water that does not need to be treated as wastewater.
Infiltration is groundwater that enters the sewer system through broken or leaking pipes or leaking sewer manholes. It is clean water that does not need to be treated as wastewater.
The City’s Wastewater Master Plan identified areas where flow data suggests inflow issues (i.e., flow increases in response to a rainfall event). The 2019 Private Source Inflow Removal Concept Report conducted investigations in those areas and identified over 100 specific potential sources that are suspected of discharging clean water into the sewer system.
The City and hired consultants are working to systematically identify, prioritize and address potential I/I sources.