Published November 1, 2019

MELROSE — In order to improve sewer service on behalf of the City of Melrose, Weston & Sampson will be conducting smoke testing on portions of the sanitary sewer system throughout the City from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, during November 2019.

These inspections are being conducted as part of Melrose’s 2019 Sewer Investigation Program. The purpose of smoke testing is to locate sources of rainwater entering the sanitary sewer. By removing this extra flow, Melrose will reduce the amount of unnecessary wastewater it sends to the MWRA. This extra flow is called inflow. The reduction of inflow is an important component of the City’s present Infiltration and Inflow (I/I) reduction program.

During the test, white smoke is introduced to the sanitary sewer system via a smoke-generating machine. During this procedure, white smoke will be venting from holes in manhole covers and from plumbing vent pipes located on or near your roof surface. This is normal and should not cause alarm. 

Smoke should not enter your premises unless there is either a dry trap in an unused fixture or a plumbing defect. You may wish to pour two gallons of water down any basement floor drain or unused plumbing fixture to ensure that the drain trap will be effective.

Should smoke be detected within your building, do not be alarmed. The smoke is non-toxic, non-staining, and dissipates quickly through open windows. If you have a lung ailment or respiratory condition such as asthma or emphysema, stay away from the smoke. Any smoke within a building should be immediately reported to the persons conducting the tests.

Weston & Sampson company vehicles are black and/or gray with the company name on the sides, and their personnel will be wearing shirts with the Weston & Sampson markings. All Weston & Sampson staff will carry a current identification card.

Any questions should be directed to Weston & Sampson at 781-462-6172. Leave a message including your name, address, and telephone number and your call will be promptly returned.

Work areas for fall 2019 Sewer System Investigations

SUBAREA 12

ASHCROFT ROAD, BELLEVUE AVENUE, CASS STREET, DELL AVENUE, EAST FOSTER STREET, EASTMAN PLACE, ESSEX STREET, FAULKNER PLACE, FELTON PLACE, FIRST STREET, GENEVA ROAD, GOOCH STREET, GREYSTONE ROAD, HILLSIDE AVENUE, LARRABEE PLACE, LARRABEE STREET, LEBANON STREET and LEONARD ROAD.

Also, MAIN STREET, PARKER STREET, PHILPOT TERRACE, ROWE STREET, SEWALL STREET, SIXTH STREET, STEVENS PLACE, UPHAM STREET, UPHAM TERRACE, WEST FOSTER STREET, WINTER PLACE and WINTER STREET.

SUBAREA 13

BELLEVUE AVENUE, BEVERLY STREET, CITY HALL PLAZA, CRYSTAL STREET, EAST EMERSON STREET, GREEN STREET, HILLSIDE AVENUE, INGALLS COURT, LEBANON STREET, LYNN FELLS PARKWAY, MAIN STREET, MELROSE STREET, ORIENT AVENUE, PORTER STREET, ROWE STREET, SHORT STREET, WEST EMERSON STREET and WINTHROP STREET.

SUBAREA 19

ASHCROFT ROAD, AVON STREET, BATCHELDER STREET, BROOKLEDGE ROAD, BURRELL STREET, COUNTRY CLUB ROAD, EAST EMERSON STREET, EAST FOSTER STREET, EAST STREET, ELM STREET, FIRST STREET, GARFIELD ROAD, GENEVA ROAD, HARDING COURT, HARDING ROAD, HILLCREST AVENUE, KENISTON ROAD and LARCHMONT ROAD.

Also,  LINCOLN STREET, LINDEN ROAD, LYNN FELLS PARKWAY, MARMION ROAD, MEADOWVIEW ROAD, NORMAN ROAD, OLD BROOK CIRCLE, ORIENT AVENUE, ORIENT PARK, ORIENT PLACE, PORTER STREET, SAWYER ROAD, SCHOOL STREET, SEWALL STREET, STRATFORD ROAD, THIRTEENTH STREET and UPHAM STREET.

SUBAREA 23

ARGYLE STREET, CASS STREET, FAXON STREET, FLORENCE AVENUE, GOOCH STREET, GOSS AVENUE, GROVE STREET, LARRABEE STREET, LAUREL STREET, LEBANON STREET, LYNDE STREET, MERIDIAN STREET, PERHAM AVENUE, RADCLIFFE ROAD, SIXTH STREET, SWAINS POND AVENUE and WHITMAN AVENUE.