The Waitaki District Council is carrying out a smoke testing programme on the wastewater network in Ōamaru. 

This work has been carried out by PipeWorks staff at various locations last month and this month, and continued in Bedford Street this week.

The testing, which involves forcing dense, non-toxic, and odourless smoke into a manhole, is used to discover any breaks in pipes, and identify areas within the wastewater network that need attention.

Households on streets where wastewater lines are being smoke tested will receive a letter and a fact sheet about the testing process before it takes place.

Don't panic if you see smoke coming from manholes around Ōamaru.