Students gain hands-on experience with local sewer testing


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BECKLEY, WV (WVNS) – Students at WVU Tech had the opportunity to join the Beckley Sanitary Board in the field during a smoke test on Tuesday, October 19, 2021.

BSB performs smoke tests on its sewer lines to identify leaks, bad connections and problems within their system. Shawneha Finnimore is the local president of the Society of Civil Engineers and a student on Tuesday’s test.

“The community is actually involved in the school that is here, so it helps us get involved in the community, it helps us learn that these are the experiences that we can have and that we can learn from,” said Finnimore. .

Non-toxic smoke is pumped through the sewer lines. employees can then see problem areas escape. This smoke can find problems such as broken pipes, improper connections, and homes whose storm water systems are connected to the city’s sewer system. Students were asked to mark these issues with flags and document the location on maps that the BSB will later use to resolve these issues.

BSB environmental specialist Luke Stevens was on hand for Tuesday’s test with the students.

“It’s great in so many ways for us. Logistically, it really helps with this type of field assessment to have extra feet on the ground and eyes on our system, and eyes that know what they’re looking for and are stepping into the field. engineering. – Luke Stevens

The students were supervised by their teacher Dr Brian Dickman and employees of the Beckley Sanitary Board. This partnership not only helps future civil engineers still in school, but also the community at large by helping the Board of Health identify issues in order to keep their systems operating at peak performance.

In Tuesday’s test, students identified issues with broken lines and a house with gutters and storm water connected to sewer systems. Any problems that the BSB will seek to correct. Residents of Fairview and Dexter Streets concerned about Tuesday’s smoke test are urged to contact the Beckley Sanitary Board.

About Mark A. Tomlin

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