Updated November 15, 2019

SW 16th and College Sewer Repair Project

Environmental Services has completed a redesign of the sewer repair in this neighborhood and will begin work as soon as possible. This repair will help to protect the public and our environment by reducing costly breaks, leaks, blockages, and sewage releases to homes, businesses and streets.  

General Schedule

Work hours are from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, with Saturdays as needed. 

Look-Ahead Construction Schedule 

Construction activities may fluctuate in schedule due to weather, conditions underground, traffic impacts, subcontractor schedules, materials availability, and other factors.  

Week of November 18  

SW 16th Avenue south of SW Montgomery Street (from the intersection up the hill to the dead end of 16^th Avenue) 

• Crews will repair the sewer mainline using Cured-in-Place Pipe Lining (CIPP). This work will take about two days to complete.

What To Expect During Construction

You can expect the following activities and impacts during construction:

• Equipment that generates noise includes sewer cleaning trucks, compressors, light trucks, generators, pumps, and ventilation fans.
• Vactor trucks will be in the area to operate vacuum pumps necessary to clean the pipes prior to the lining and maintain sewer service during the lining. Vactor trucks generate noise and can be in place for up to several hours at a time. 
• In the event of a sewer backup, storm drainage problem, or clogged catch basin, call 503-823-1700 to report the problem and the location.

Construction Methods

The city uses many construction methods to repair or replace sewer pipes. For this project, the city plans to use Cured-in-Place Pipe Lining (CIPP). To learn more about each of these constructions methods and what can be expected during construction, go to www.portlandoregon.gov/bes/methods. 

During CIPP, crews work from a manhole to insert a flexible liner inside the old pipe. Crews then inflate the liner and use hot water, steam, or ultraviolet light to cure the liner, forming a rigid, smooth surface that seals cracks and restores the pipe to near-new condition.

When heat (steam) is used to cure or harden the liner during CIPP, people who are nearby may smell an odor that is often described as being similar to plastic or glue. The odor is from the chemical styrene, which is in the resin of the liner. The resin is the part of the liner that reacts with heat and hardens.

While unpleasant for some, the amount of airborne styrene generated by the CIPP process is not a health risk at the levels observed by the City of Portland and tested and monitored by an independent industrial hygienist. The odor dissipates quickly once the process is complete.

Water Usage During Construction

Your water service should not be interrupted during the repair work; however, we request that you minimize your water usage because drainage into the sewer will be restricted and a back-up could occur in your home. Please do not run your dishwasher or washing machine and limit showers/baths until after the work is complete.

For More Information

Environmental Services is committed to keeping residents and businesses informed. We encourage you to sign up now for the project’s email update list. 

• If you have a question about the project, email Tracie Heidt at Tracie@jla.us.com or call her at 503-235-5881.
• In the event of a sewer backup, call 503-823-1700 to report the problem and the location. The number is staffed all hours and all days, 24/7.