Residents in three Deer Run neighborhoods may see smoke rising from manholes and yards starting Aug. 24, as Dublin begins a pilot project to find cracks and faulty connections letting groundwater seep into sanitary sewers.
Three-person crews will blow non-toxic smoke through sewer lines in project areas 1, 4 and 6 of the Deer Run sewer shed from Aug. 24 through Aug. 28. Wherever smoke surfaces above ground, it signals a spot where stormwater can infiltrate the system. The work is weather dependent.
The effort aims to prevent sanitary sewer overflows and basement backups during heavy rain, according to the city's project page. It also supports Dublin's compliance with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency's Director's Final Findings and Orders, though the city has not published the specific order or case number.
Notification letters and door hangers have already gone out to affected households. Washington Township Fire and Emergency Services have been notified of the schedule.
What residents need to know
The smoke is harmless to people, pets, food, clothing and furniture, according to the city's FAQ document. It should not enter a properly plumbed and vented home where drain traps contain water. If smoke does get inside, the city advises opening windows; it typically clears within 15 to 20 minutes.
Residents do not need to be home during testing. Pet owners are advised to leave windows partially open if animals are inside.
Bigger picture
The smoke testing is one piece of a broader inspection effort that includes closed-circuit television surveys of sewer mains and laterals, dye testing and general sewer inspections. CCTV inspections were scheduled to begin in July 2026, according to an earlier version of the project page.
If inspectors find problems, potential fixes include lining sewer laterals, grouting cracks and disconnecting downspouts or sump pumps improperly tied into the sanitary system. Design and construction are anticipated later in 2026, though no specific timeline or council vote has been scheduled.
Michael Hendershot, P.E., Dublin's director of utilities and stormwater management, is the contact for smoke testing questions at 614-410-4657. General project questions go to Thomas Fuqua, civil engineer in the utilities division, at 614-410-4400.
