Updated: 12:48 PM EDT Oct 10, 2018
This is why you might see smoke coming from your drains The Burlington Public Works Department is performing a series of smoke tests as a part of the Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE) Program. Updated: 12:48 PM EDT Oct 10, 2018
This is why you might see smoke coming from your drains The Burlington Public Works Department is performing a series of smoke tests as a part of the Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE) Program. Updated: 12:48 PM EDT Oct 10, 2018
The Burlington Public Works Department is performing a series of smoke tests as a part of the Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE) Program. This part of its "advanced investigation" entails pouring a kind of smoke into the stormwater pipes, looking for any indication that the smoke goes into sewer pipes. This means there's either a leak or an improper connection between the pipes. For residents, this means smoke could come out of drains or pipes in their houses.The smoke is more like a fog that is odorless, non-toxic and not flammable. "We've been notifying people just so they're not freaked out," Burlington Stormwater Program Manager Jenna Olson said. "If there's smoke coming out of your sink drains, that can be a little alarming. So we just want folks to be prepared and not be freaked out if they do happen to see smoke coming."The fire department is also on alert for calls, just in case the smoke looks suspicious."It could cause some panic," Burlington Fire Batallion Chief Patrick Murphy said. "We just want people to know that if you do have a question, call 911, first and foremost. But if you think it could be related to the smoke test, then by all means, you may want to check with public works."If you do see this in your house or coming out of a sewage outlet nearby, the Public Works Department is asking you to contact their customer service line at 802-863-4501. You will be asked to provide an address of where the smoke came from and a phone number for follow-up information. But Olson said she's not expecting many pop-ups."It's pretty uncommon, really infrequent," she said. "It's sort of just the nature of having old infrastructure. We have old, rusty pipes and sometimes they break. You know, over the winter, things like that. And they will leak into other areas."The tests are set to start at 8 a.m. Wednesday on Pine Street and continue throughout the city.
BURLINGTON, Vt. —
The Burlington Public Works Department is performing a series of smoke tests as a part of the Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE) Program.
This part of its "advanced investigation" entails pouring a kind of smoke into the stormwater pipes, looking for any indication that the smoke goes into sewer pipes.
This means there's either a leak or an improper connection between the pipes.
For residents, this means smoke could come out of drains or pipes in their houses.
The smoke is more like a fog that is odorless, non-toxic and not flammable.
"We've been notifying people just so they're not freaked out," Burlington Stormwater Program Manager Jenna Olson said. "If there's smoke coming out of your sink drains, that can be a little alarming. So we just want folks to be prepared and not be freaked out if they do happen to see smoke coming."
The fire department is also on alert for calls, just in case the smoke looks suspicious.
"It could cause some panic," Burlington Fire Batallion Chief Patrick Murphy said. "We just want people to know that if you do have a question, call 911, first and foremost. But if you think it could be related to the smoke test, then by all means, you may want to check with public works."
If you do see this in your house or coming out of a sewage outlet nearby, the Public Works Department is asking you to contact their customer service line at 802-863-4501.
You will be asked to provide an address of where the smoke came from and a phone number for follow-up information.
But Olson said she's not expecting many pop-ups.
"It's pretty uncommon, really infrequent," she said. "It's sort of just the nature of having old infrastructure. We have old, rusty pipes and sometimes they break. You know, over the winter, things like that. And they will leak into other areas."
The tests are set to start at 8 a.m. Wednesday on Pine Street and continue throughout the city.
Why Steam Pours From New York City Streets
January 26, 2021
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A chimney in the middle of a New York street. (Photo Didier Forray)
- If you’ve ever visited New York, you’ve definitely noticed those strange smoking pipes on the streets of New York. But where does this smoke come from? An urban legend says that this smoke comes from the sewers of New York. It makes no sense: the sewers have no reason to smoke like this or it would be a sign that a fire has broken out!
- The real explanation for this phenomenon, which still intrigues tourists, lies elsewhere: this smoke actually comes from the heating and air conditioning system used in the southern part of Manhattan, up to 96th Street on the Upper West Side and up to 89th Street on the Upper East Side.
- New York uses an old water vapor heating and air conditioning system, commissioned in 1882. The principle is as follows: the electrical stations of the Con Edison company, the local EDF, produce steam and this is conveyed into the buildings via a network of pipes which passes under the roadway. The steam then makes it possible either to heat or to air-condition the building, or even to produce electricity.
- The steam produced is also used by hospitals for the sterilization of medical equipment and by certain museums to ensure sufficient humidification of exhibits in order to protect works of art.
- But why does this steam come out through these tubes? Con Edison explains that smoke can form when water seeps into a hole made by his operators for work. “Another source of smoke can come from leaks, especially at the level of the connection of two pipes”, explains Con Edison.
- Small orange and white chimneys are then installed temporarily to prevent passers-by from being burned by the water vapour. And if these small chimneys are high enough, it is so that the column of smoke is high enough not to obstruct visibility for drivers. Con Edison thinks of everything!
- One last thing: if you ever see steam coming out of the roadway or sidewalk, with no protection around it, don’t hesitate to call Con Edison at this toll-free number 1-800-752-6633 to report the leak.
When she’s not preparing her guided tours of New York in French, Laurène also enjoys looking at these strange smoking streets. Here is a video she shot.