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Smoke testing finds storm-to-sanitary cross-connections; Stone Street odor monitoring shows low H2S so far
Summary
Smoke testing in basins 4 and 9 uncovered storm-drain connections into the sanitary sewer (including a location near Indiana Water) that increase treatment loads; a data-logger at Stone Street initially recorded no H2S, and staff will collect more months of data before recommending odor-control equipment.
Kankakee staff reported that targeted smoke testing in sewer basins 4 and 9 has already identified several storm-to-sanitary cross-connections, a condition that channels storm water into the sanitary system and increases treatment costs.
ESU staff explained the smoke testing detected a cross-connection at an intake near Indiana Water. "What it's looking for is those cross connections where storm water should be going to the storm system but it's actually going to the sanitary system. So they've found a couple of those. One was at Indiana Water," said Zach during the June 15 meeting. The board heard that smoke testing was suspended multiple times because heavy rains make the tests unreliable; staff said fixes identified could require capital funding and will be prioritized sooner rather than later.
On odor monitoring, staff deployed an H2S data logger at Stone Street to collect odor metrics and discovered an initial software fault that has since been corrected. After reinstalling it, early results show no hydrogen sulfide (H2S) readings and scrubbers/alarms have not activated. Staff said the wet conditions have likely flushed the system and they plan to leave the logger in place for two to three months to establish baselines before selecting an odor-control system that fits the existing footprint.
Why it matters: cross-connections increase the volume of clean storm water sent to treatment, raising operating costs and potentially requiring immediate capital fixes; Stone Street monitoring will guide targeted investments in odor control if persistent H2S is documented.
Board action and next steps: staff will continue smoke testing when weather allows, prioritize identified cross-connections for repair, and gather additional Stone Street H2S data before recommending a control system.
