In most parts of Portland’s wastewater collection system, gravity moves sewage through pipes. But there are places where sewage needs a lift. At these locations, pump stations pump the sewage uphill, so it can continue on its way to the treatment plant by gravity. Environmental Services operates nearly 100 sewage pump stations around Portland.

Some pump stations are quite small and may go unnoticed. But most are about the size of a home workshop or garage.

Like Portland’s system of sewer pipes, many pump stations are aging and need to be upgraded. During pump station upgrade projects, construction is confined mainly to the site. Typically, there is some construction in rights-of-way as work crews replace portions of incoming and outgoing sewer pipes.

Modernizing pump stations usually includes replacing underground tanks, wet well pumps, and electrical systems. Above ground construction includes a structure to house monitoring and electrical equipment, generators and odor control systems. Pump station upgrade projects can take on average from one to two years to complete.