Apopka Sewer Audit: Smoke Tests Reveal 40+ Problem Spots in Older District
Crews are using a blower and non-toxic fog to locate leaks in Lift Station 17, a basin that has received little preventative maintenance in recent years.
By Aiko Brooks ·
White smoke rising from the grass along East Third Street signaled a hidden problem beneath the pavement on Wednesday. City crews in Apopka are smoke testing the sanitary sewer system to identify damaged pipes, leaking manholes, and incorrect connections that allow rainwater and groundwater to enter lines designed only for wastewater.
Contractor USSI is leading the effort in one of the city's older service areas. A crew member showed News 6 a digital inspection map displaying more than 40 green markers. Each marker indicates a location where workers suspect a defect. The map covers the specific area being inspected, not the entire city, and the number of confirmed defects awaiting repair has not been independently verified.
Tim McRoberts, a senior project manager on the operation, explained that the blower pushes non-toxic smoke into the lines through access points. Smoke escaping from rooftop plumbing vents is a normal sign of a healthy system. However, smoke emerging from the ground, a street, or a broken pipe opening suggests a point where stormwater is entering the network. McRoberts stated that the primary goal is to locate these defects, which can include broken cleanouts, leaking manholes, and residential gutters improperly tied into sewer lines.
The city is prioritizing this area because it falls under Lift Station 17, part of one of Apopka's oldest basins. Gabby Lederer, the utility program supervisor, noted that the district has received little preventative work in the past. She described the current effort as the start of a basin-by-basin strategy that will cover the entire city over the next five to 10 years.
Inflow and infiltration remain the main concerns. Inflow occurs when water enters directly through openings like gutters or damaged covers, while infiltration happens when groundwater seeps in through cracks. Crews estimate that roughly 800,000 gallons of unwanted water enter the system daily during rainy conditions, a figure that has not been verified or tied to a specific service area. This excess water increases pumping demands and reduces capacity during heavy rain, potentially leading to backups or sanitary sewer overflows.
McRoberts described the smoke testing method as one of the most affordable ways to assess a wastewater collection system. The team aims to locate all defects in a basin and repair those they can handle directly. Other repairs may be assigned to city staff or outside plumbers. Lederer expects substantial inspection data from USSI within one to two weeks and hopes to begin manhole rehabilitation before the end of the year. Repair costs and the total number of confirmed defects have not yet been established.
The work satisfies a state requirement effective since June 2023. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection requires domestic wastewater facilities to develop action plans that evaluate at least 25% of their collection systems over five years. Residents in scheduled areas should receive a door hanger. Testing runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, weather permitting, through Friday, October 30.
Residents with heart or respiratory conditions who want advance notice can call USSI at 1-888-645-9570 or 941-926-2646 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. The smoke is non-toxic and will not harm pets or stain surfaces. If smoke enters a home, it may indicate a dry plumbing trap, and residents should ventilate the space and notify a uniformed crew member.
