NE 33rd Drive Pump Station Upgrades Project

The NE 33rd Drive Pump Station collects sanitary sewage and stormwater from neighboring properties and two smaller pump stations in the area. It then pumps combined flows to the Columbia Boulevard Wastewater Treatment Plant. Impacts from climate change, pump blockages, and corrosion have contributed to the pump's overall deterioration. In addition, mechanical and electrical equipment are approaching the end of service life. Upgrades are needed to enhance the structural integrity of the pump station and to safeguard against extreme weather events, natural disasters, and other environmental factors.

This project will replace all outdated equipment, control systems, damaged pipes, and a larger pump station will be developed. The modernized facility will not only help to ensure safer and reliable transmission of underground stormwater to the treatment plant. It will play a major role in decreasing flooding and sewage backups in the surrounding community. 

Project Area 

The project site is located at 7548 NE 33rd Drive, near the Columbia Slough. 

The simplified map pictured here is an illustration of the work zone and shows details on planned pump station improvements. This map is not up to scale and does not provide an accurate measurement of the actual distances between places or the accurate size of features.

View full size image of Simplified map for the NE 33rd Drive Pump Station Upgrades Project

Text description of NE 33^rd Drive Pump Station Upgrades Project Map

General Schedule

Construction is expected to start in late Summer 2026. Work is anticipated to be complete by Fall of 2028.

What's Happening Now

The project plans have been finalized. To prepare for construction, the project site is expected to undergo nuisance plant and tree removal in the first quarter of 2026.

Environmental Services and its partners will continue site visits and evaluations, utility locating, and conducting surveys at the project site and near adjacent properties. The purpose of these activities is to collect information on existing features such as curbs, sidewalks, fencing, trees, structures, public utilities, and to locate existing survey markers to record the right of way lines for the project. This information helps consultants and contractors hired by the City of Portland to determine what sewer construction methods will best reduce impacts on the neighborhood.

Pump Station Design and Maintenance

Portland’s system includes grey and green infrastructure to help manage sewage and stormwater to protect people, property, and the environment. In addition to green street planters, rain gardens, eco-roofs, trees, wetlands, and streams, it includes more than 2,500 miles of pipes, two treatment plants, and nearly 100 pump stations. Pump stations and their design play a critical part in the removal of sewage to processing plants and redistribution of clean water.

What is a pump station? 

A pump station, also known as a pumphouse or lift station, help to collect sewage and excess rain. Sewage, which is 99 percent water, flows downhill. Gravity is the main force that moves flow through pipes. However, pump stations with large underground tanks (also known as wet wells) push sewage up so that gravity can take over again in low-elevation areas. Pump stations are equipped with specialized pipes that are designed to handle the pressure of sewage being pushed through them. Pump stations also have equipment that can control odor and protect its infrastructure.

How do we take care of pump stations?

Pump stations require periodic maintenance and upgrades to help accommodate growth and future demands on the sewer system. Modernization of mechanical, electrical, and other control systems improves pump station reliability, operation, and safety. In Portland, operators at the Columbia Boulevard Wastewater Treatment Plant monitor the City’s pump stations remotely to ensure proper functionality. They can quickly respond to emergencies like power outages or pump blockages. 

Visit the About our Sewer System webpage to learn more about how pump stations fit into the larger public sewer and wastewater system.

What to Expect During Construction

• A Safe Work Site—We want you to be safe around the work site. Please keep children, pets, bikes, cars, and trucks away from the tools, machines, supplies, and construction workers.
• Noise, Vibration, and Dust—Construction creates noise, vibration, and dust and disrupts normal neighborhood activity.
• Traffic Delays—The work will slow down traffic in your neighborhood. Please read the traffic signs and follow directions from the workers with flags.
• Access to Your Home or Business—You will be able to go to your home or business, but you may not be able to park as close as you would like. We will try to make sure driveways and parking lot entrances stay open.
• Parking Restrictions—We want you to be safe, so you might not be able to park your car next to work spaces, equipment, or materials. If crews are working directly in front of your home or a business, you may need to park in another place.
• Equipment Storage—Sometimes we will leave tools, machines, and supplies on your street overnight. Please stay away from them.
• Maintained Service—You can still use sewer, water, and other services while we work on your street.
• Work Hours—Work hours are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. Sometimes we work on Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Schedule Changes and Inactivity—Our work schedules can change for many reasons like weather, traffic, and problems with tools, machines, or supplies. Sometimes we need to stop between different types of work and start again later.

Project Background

The NE 33rd Drive Pump Station will feature modern equipment and controls to meet current and future demand on the public sewer system. 

Planned improvements for the pump station include the following:

• A new electrical and controls building to house electrical and controls equipment with accessible restrooms for maintenance staff.
• A new stand-by generator and force main inspection port will be added.
• A new below ground valve vault will be installed adjacent to the wet well.
• A new temporary bypass pumping system will be installed to help prevent overflow into the Columbia Slough.
• All mechanical, electrical, and control equipment and systems will be replaced.
• The existing below ground wet well and dry pit will be reconfigured into one larger wet well with increased storage capacity.
• The existing fence and gate will be replaced to provide increased security.
• Seismic upgrades that meet the City's structural resiliency requirements.

We Want to Hear from You

Environmental Services will inform residents and businesses about project activities and respond to questions and concerns in a timely manner. The following resources will help you stay informed and report concerns:

• Project Webpage: Continue to visit portland.gov/bes/NE33rdPS for project details.
• Questions? Call the message line or email city staff, stating NE 33rd Drive Pump Station Upgrades Project (E10910) is your project of concern. Outreach staff will contact you by the next business day.
• Sewer Emergency: In the event of a sewer backup or basement flooding, call the City Maintenance hotline immediately at 503-823-1700. It is staffed all hours and all days, 24/7. 

Sign Up for Project Updates

Sign up for periodic email or text message updates for the NE 33rd Drive Pump Station Upgrades Project through our free GovDelivery subscription service. These updates are the best way to stay informed about what’s happening and what to expect. You can also sign up for bulletins on other projects and topics. 

This project will help protect the health of the Columbia Slough Watershed.