U.S. arena plans to hold toilet testing 'flushoff'

U.S. arena that housed Katrina victims plans to hold toilet testing 'flushoff'
at 18:39 on December 21, 2005, EST.

LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) - The Cajundome is seeking volunteers to flush more than 200 toilets in the arena. About 70 volunteers are needed to participate in the Great Cajundome Flushoff set for Dec. 27.

The Cajundome and Convention Center served as a centre for evacuees fleeing hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Use by thousands of evacuees for weeks took a toll on the arena's plumbing system.

"We don't know what ended up in the (sewer) system," Cajundome Director Greg Davis said.

Operations manager Phil Ashurst said officials have already found pieces of brick wrapped in a towel, a T-shirt and diapers in the pipes.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency denied a request to inspect the sewer system with a camera, Davis said. So to test the plumbing before holding an event in January, a minimum of 70 volunteers are needed to spend 15 to 20 minutes flushing toilet paper down 220 or so toilets and testing urinals, he said.

"We can't afford to find out we have a problem at a sold-out concert," Davis said.

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