Moline, Illinois – Sanitary sewer smoke testing will begin in central Moline starting Sunday, June 30, with visible smoke likely through early July as crews inspect for leaks and illegal sewer connections.
According to the City of Moline and contractor RJN Group, the testing uses non-toxic, non-flammable smoke to pinpoint defects in the system. The process involves accessing manholes and forcing smoke through sewer lines. The outlined area—bounded by 12th Avenue to the north and 26th Avenue to the south—includes residential streets between 25th and 43rd Streets.
Residents do not need to be home during the work, and field crews will not enter homes or buildings. However, smoke may enter buildings if drain traps are dry. Officials recommend pouring water down all floor drains and sinks beforehand to block smoke entry. If smoke does enter, residents should ventilate the area and alert the nearby RJN crew.
Homeowners may notice smoke emerging from rooftops, vents, or lawns. This is normal and does not indicate a fire. Crews will wear uniforms and carry ID badges for verification.
Testing will continue into July, weather permitting. Updates and FAQs are available at moline.il.us.
