Council to conduct small town pipe testing program

SMOKE testing programs will be carried out by the Toowoomba Regional Council in the stormwater pipes of two small towns to find potential breaks in the system.

Councillors voted at last week’s committee meetings to approve programs in certain parts of Cambooya and Pittsworth, after “high levels of stormwater intrusion/infiltration” into the sewerage system were detected during recent rain events.

“Smoke testing is planned as part of the annual maintenance program covering selected areas in Pittsworth and Cambooya in the southern district sewerage system,” the report by water infrastructure manager Phil McEwan said.

“This is to identify the areas subject to high levels of stormwater intrusion/infiltration to the sewerage system and associated sewerage pumping stations.

“Such stormwater intrusion/infiltration has resulted in sewer overflows and pumping inefficiencies due to high sewerage pump run times which prompted a report to the State Government regulator.”

The motion was carried at the ordinary meeting unanimously.