Council agrees to seek bids for smoke testing sewer lines to meet DEQ deadline

Public works staff asked the council for consensus to prepare a request for proposals (RFP) to smoke test sections of the city’s sewer system so the city can meet reporting requirements tied to a DEQ mutual-assistance order.

Public Works explained the city had purchased some smoke-testing equipment but a small crew and wet-weather constraints may prevent completing the work in time. The department said smoke testing reveals illegal stormwater or roof-drain connections and sewer leaks; it is a separate requirement from closed-circuit-television (TV) inspection, which the city has already begun.

Staff said the city must smoke test the system and then TV sections; testing cannot be done in rain and will be done in sections when dry weather allows. The work was reviewed by the public-works committee, which recommended forwarding the RFP request to council. Staff said an RFP would allow outside contractors to bid on one or multiple sections; the city would not be required to accept any bid.

Council members asked whether missed deadlines would result in fines; staff said the RFP is a contingency measure to help meet DEQ reporting deadlines. Council gave consensus to prepare the RFP and asked staff to return with RFP language and (if available) potential grant or funding options for assistance.

Director-level staff told the council the work could also be incorporated into an annual maintenance program after staff gain in-house experience with smoke testing.

No formal vote was required; staff will draft the RFP and bring it back for review.