Services, Guides, and Information
32 services and resources found
The 2020 Stormwater Management Manual (SWMM) became effective Dec.14, 2020. The manual sets City policy and design requirements for stormwater management on all development, redevelopment, and improvement projects on both public and private property in Portland.
About Downtown-Old Town Sewer Repair Program
Information
The Downtown-Old Town Sewer Repair Program is a multi-year and multi-million-dollar investment to assess the condition and capacity of the aging public sewer system serving Portland's Downtown and Old Town neighborhoods and to construct the necessary repairs and upgrades.
About the Secondary Treatment Expansion Program
Information
STEP is the largest improvement project at the treatment plant since the 1970s. The improvements will increase the plant's resiliency, protect water quality, and provide healthier work environments for essential workers.
Contractors working on construction projects for the Bureau of Environmental Services are required to post the following signage at the construction site as described in their contract documents.
Basement Moisture Survey
External Resource
Many things can cause moisture problems in basements. Your responses to this survey help Environmental Services identify areas where sewers have backed up or areas where groundwater has seeped into basements. This can help inform our work to manage stormwater throughout the city.
Cured-in-Place-Pipe Lining (CIPP)
Information
Cured-in-Place-Pipe Lining (CIPP) is a trenchless method of sewer construction. It requires little or no digging and significantly less time to complete than other sewer repair methods. It is suitable for repairing both short and long runs of pipes that do not need to be upsized.
Emergency Inverness Force Main Repair
Information
Environmental Services has completed repairing a 20-inch diameter pressurized pipe at the base of the Columbia Slough bike/pedestrian bridge north of the Columbia Blvd Wastewater Treatment Plant. Repair of the aging pipe protects public health and the environment.
Find manuals, standards, and other technical resources to use when working on sewer, stormwater, and watershed projects within the City of Portland.
Enroll in the Submeter Program
Service
To be eligible to participate in the Environmental Services Submeter Program a business must submit a completed application.
The CAD tools and templates found on this page are intended for use with sewer, stormwater, and watershed restoration capital improvement projects for the City of Portland. These templates and tools are maintained by Environmental Services.
In addition to Portland's bureaus of Transportation and Water, Environmental Services maintains a list of approved, commonly-used construction products for use within the public right-of-way. Find the current list and learn more about the construction product approval process.
Find Environmental Services Projects
Information
Environmental Services has sewer, stormwater, and watershed restoration projects throughout Portland. These projects could be in either planning, design, or construction. Locate projects using the map below.
Grouting
Information
Grouting is a trenchless construction method used to stop leaks in sewer pipes and maintenance access holes without having to do more complex and costly structural repairs. It is effective in repairing leaky pipes and joints, sealing small cracks, and filling voids in the soil outside of pipes.
The Submeter Program is for business customers who discharge a volume of water to the sewer significantly more or less than the incoming water. Customers install submeters on their business’ internal plumbing to accurately measure and bill for water that is discharged to the sewer.
Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD)
Information
Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) is a trenchless method of sewer construction. It is suitable for soft to hard clays, wet soils, and environmentally sensitive areas. This method avoids having to dig large pits to install jacking and boring machines.
Jack and Bore
Information
Jack and Bore is a trenchless method of sewer construction. It is suitable for installing short pipe runs in stable and dry soils without large boulders.
The Bureau of Environmental Services maintains the Manufacturing Standards for Precast Concrete Products manual. The manual covers the requirements for the manufacture of precast concrete pipe, maintenance holes, and inlets for use in City of Portland infrastructure projects.
Microtunneling
Information
Microtunneling is a trenchless method of sewer construction. It is effective in soft, unstable, and wet soils and can crush large boulders. The tunneling process is remotely controlled and can be used to install larger diameter pipes and longer pipe runs than the Jack and Bore method.
Open Trench Excavation
Information
Open Trench Excavation is the traditional method of sewer construction and the most common method for replacing a sewer pipe, especially if the original pipe needs to be upsized.
Pilot Tube Microtunneling
Information
Pilot Tube Microtunneling is a trenchless method of sewer construction. It is effective where pinpoint accuracy is needed for the line and the grade of the sewer pipe installation—where several underground utility lines exist in close proximity, for example.
Pipe Bursting
Information
Pipe Bursting is a trenchless method of sewer construction. It is an alternative to the Open Trench Excavation method that allows for replacing or upsizing an existing pipe without the need for a traditional construction trench.
Pipe Reaming
Information
Pipe Reaming is a trenchless method of sewer construction. It allows for replacing or upsizing an existing pipe without the need for an excavated open trench. It is used to remove underground sewer pipes while simultaneously installing new pipes.
Pre-Construction Activities
Information
During the project design process, crews will be in the neighborhood conducting various investigations to collect information that will help them determine what pipes need to be repaired and what construction methods should be used.
Sanitary Sewer and Stormwater Rates and Charges
Information
Environmental Services delivers sanitary sewer and stormwater services to Portland residents and businesses. Rates and charges are based on the cost of providing services. Learn more about our rates and charges on this page.
The Sewer and Drainage Facilities Design Manual is maintained by the Bureau of Environmental Services and provides information for City staff, consultants, contractors, designers, and others who plan, design, construct, review, and approve sewer and drainage facilities for the City of Portland.
See something we could improve on this page? Give website feedback.