What is cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) lining technology?

Cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) lining technology is a pipe rehabilitation method that involves inserting a flexible liner into the existing failing pipe and curing the liner with either water or steam. The result is a rigid, smooth surface that seals cracks and restores the old pipe to near-new condition. The chief advantage of using CIPP lining technology is its “trench-less” nature. CIPP lining allows installers to reduce and sometimes avoid the need to excavate and replace sidewalks, curbs, trees, utilities, and other features, making CIPP less disruptive to the community and more sustainable than traditional open-trench methods.

How does Environmental Services regulate CIPP lining technology?

Portland City Code Chapter 17.32 authorizes Environmental Services to regulate the use of CIPP lining technology to repair privately owned and/or maintained sewer lines and laterals that are within the public right of way. Environmental Services regulates this use under administrative rules found in ENB-4.33, adopted by the Director in June 2017.

Environmental Services oversees compliance by private parties with the CIPP lining rules through the City’s centralized permit process. Citizens may obtain a permit for CIPP lining in the public right of way, along with any associated plumbing permits, from the Bureau of Development Services (BDS) at the City’s Permit Center at 1900 SW 4th Avenue in Portland. Note: BDS, not Environmental Services, regulates the use of CIPP lining technology to repair sewer pipes on private property.

Below is a link to ENB-4.33, Administrative Rules for Use of CIPP Lining in Privately Maintained Pipe in the Public Right of Way. There is also a link below to the as-built form that private installers of CIPP in the public right of way must submit to BES, as required by ENB-4.33.

• ENB-4.33, Administrative Rules for Use of CIPP Lining in Privately Maintained Pipe in the Public Right of Way
• Required As-Built Form

Why does BES regulate the use of CIPP lining in the public right of way?

Portland City Code Chapter 17.32, “Public Sewer and Drainage System Permits, Connections and Maintenance,” authorizes the Environmental Services Director to administer and to regulate access and connection to, and the use, construction, modification, maintenance, repair, and removal of, components of the City's sewer, storm sewer, and drainage systems and their easements. With very few exceptions for some privately-owned nonconforming sewers, Environmental Services owns the portion of the sewer lateral (i.e. “branch”) that is within the public right of way. However, under Portland City Code section 17.32.070, part of a public lateral is maintained by the City and the other portion, closest to the private building served by the lateral, generally must be maintained by the private property owner.

It is vital that there is proper application of approved materials and methods by property owners and their contractors when repairs to the privately maintained portion of the sewer system, which connects to the publicly owned and maintained portion of the sewer system, are completed. Oversight of repair and connection activities by Environmental Services ensures that property owners and their properties are served by a sound sewer collection system that protects water quality, public health, and the environment.