Spencer to Begin Smoke Testing Soon to Identify Sewer System Issues
SPENCER, IA (NorthwestIowaNow) – The City of Spencer will soon begin smoke testing Wednesday October 1st, as part of its Sanitary Sewer Master Plan aimed at identifying and addressing vulnerabilities in the city’s aging sewer infrastructure.
Testing will begin on the south side of town, south of the Little Sioux River, and is expected to take 7 to 10 days to complete over several weeks, depending on weather and field conditions. Residents and businesses in affected areas will be notified with door hangers prior to testing.
Smoke testing is a widely used method for detecting leaks, illegal connections, and other issues not visible from the surface. The results will help target known problem areas, including the Southside Lift Station, and assess damage caused by the 2024 flood.
Spencer’s sanitary sewer system includes more than 400,000 lineal feet of gravity pipe and 50,000 lineal feet of force main. This study builds on a 2008 assessment and will help guide future infrastructure planning and capital improvement projects.
Weather permitting, smoke testing north of the river may begin later this fall, but is more likely to start in the summer of 2026.
Residents can follow the City of Spencer’s Facebook page for updates on testing schedules and infrastructure programs