Guide to requesting sewer access authorization

Note: The city can refuse access if the applicant's request is not in the public interest. Access is granted through a process in parallel with insurance review and is necessary under the conditions outlined below. Authorized access will be reviewed and approved under the conditions and process detailed on this page.

When do I need authorization to access the sewer?

Authorization is required to enter or to put something into any part of the city's sewer and stormwater systems. For example, putting a camera into a sewer (even if a person does not go into the sewer with it) requires authorization. But someone lifting a maintenance access cover to perform a visual inspection does not need authorization, as long as no people, nor items break the plane of the maintenance hole's opening.

You will need authorization if you:

• Intend to put equipment or a person into the public sewer system, such as to perform CCTV, sewer scoping, cleaning, etc.
• Don't have a public works permit.
• Are not working on a City of Portland capital improvement or interagency project.
• Are not working under the authorization of a City of Portland-specific contract, such as a price agreement or task order. 

Access does not include right-of-entry into bureau buildings, like pump stations. That authorization, if needed, must be obtained separately through the existing right-of-entry process.

Access obtained through a Permit for Sewer Access does not include coordination of flow monitoring, system flow modification or controls, pump station flow diversion, maintenance hole weir adjustments, or any monitoring by City parties to facilitate the requested access. If your work requires any of these elements, reach out to the Environmental Services contacts listed on this page to discuss additional permitting and outreach needs.

Types of activities allowed

Requested access must not conflict with Environmental Services' mission to protect public health, water quality, and the environment. Requested access also cannot conflict with overlapping projects, operations, or other applicable activities. Access will only be granted for a defined duration and cannot include structural changes to city assets.

Examples of activities allowed with authorization

• Sample or data collection activities required by a state or federal agency (e.g., characterization of discharges from contaminated sites under approved DEQ or EPA work plans) or in anticipation of obtaining a city permit. NPDES permit holders who need to collect samples in the sewers will require authorization with multiple entries unless they have other authorization from the city that allows entry.
• Work complying with an enforcement action from the city.
• Conveyance or other system cleaning by non-city contractors.
• Any internal video survey or inspection work (CCTV), for activities such as:
  1. Confirm locations of lateral connections;
  2. Evaluate dry and wet weather discharges to the system;
  3. Monitor the effects of construction activities (e.g., pre- and post-drilling condition verification);
  4. Confirm locations of contaminants for required cleaning or to check cleaning effectiveness; and
  5. Identify locations of future sampling activities related to authorizations or required cleaning activities.
• For emergency response work, an annual authorization allowing multiple entries is required.
• The Bureau Director may make specific exceptions to this provision to facilitate public interest projects that don’t adversely affect the protection of public health and the environment. Requests for exceptions should be made to Environmental Services through the Contacts and Process Representatives listed above.

Examples of activities that don't need authorization

Prior notification of activity is required for items in bold.

• Visual observations where no people, nor items or equipment enter the system by breaking the plane of the maintenance hole's (or other access point's) opening.
• Data collection or entry activities that are covered by other permits or authorizations (e.g., wastewater, stormwater, batch discharges)
• Dye-testing, where appropriate notifications have been made to the city and any other required agency.
• Routine discharges through approved stormwater and sanitary connections.
• Work performed under the direction of Environmental Services employees, such as projects or permits with PBOT, PBOT Maintenance, city contractors, internal City crew activities, or projects as defined in the first section of this page.
• Survey work that does not require confined space entry.
• Parties performing this work are responsible for verifying if their activities need an approved sewer access authorization. To verify need, please contact the Environmental Services representatives listed on this page.

How are requests evaluated?

Environmental Services reviews authorization requests to confirm that the requested access does not conflict with the bureau’s mission to protect public health, water quality, and the environment. Requests must be for a defined duration and cannot include structural changes to city assets or go against public interest. The city has the right to refuse access to its conveyance systems.

Authorization will not be issued if:

• Required documentation, such as insurance certificate or materials management or safety plan when appropriate, were either insufficient or were not provided by the requesting party.
• The request poses an unacceptable risk to city assets or operations.
• The request is for an activity that is not in the public interest or may be detrimental to the public health, water quality, or the environment.
• Activity does not fall into one of the allowed activities above.
• If the activity will overlap or interfere with another City project or operation.

Conditions required to enter the sewer

Parties authorized to enter the sewer are required to:

• Notify Environmental Services of the times of entry;
• Comply with all other regulatory requirements (e.g., OSHA confined space entry and PBOT right-of-way requirements);
• Allow access by a bureau inspector (if appropriate); 
• Provide any data obtained from entry activities (including TV and chemical data) to Environmental Services; and
• Observe the system flow and operation, and verify that weather, rainfall, and internal collection systems conditions are safe for entry.

The authorization may require that copies of all recorded data collected under the authorization be provided to Environmental Services. Details of this requirement are included in the terms of the authorization.

Report adverse or unexpected activities or situations

If something adverse or unexpected occurs while performing the work under the authorized access activities. Such as the loss of materials or equipment, tracking sewage or system flow out of the system onto a surface, equipment getting stuck in the system, or a potentially urgent system clog, collapse, or damage. The project must immediately call 503-823-1700, then email the applicable Environmental Services process representative on this page.

How to apply

Request a sewer access authorization

Frequently asked questions