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Seneca council authorizes Underground Tech repairs after DEQ deadline and funding options presented
Summary
Facing a DEQ mandate to repair sewer infiltration/inflow by summer 2025, councilors heard that HECO mapping showed a $2 million plan but staff and partners (including OAWU and Business Oregon) identified a cured-in-place option estimated at about $50,000; the council voted to proceed with Underground Tech to pursue that repair and associated funding.
Councilors were briefed on a DEQ mandate requiring the city to repair sewer infiltration/inflow by summer 2025. Staff reported that prior HECO engineering maps showed sewer work planned alongside a new lagoon that would cost roughly $2 million but went unfunded; with input from the Oregon Association of Water Utilities (OAWU) and Business Oregon staff, city presenters said cured-in-place pipe repair was a lower-cost alternative estimated at about "$50 thousand," with a possible financing structure of half loan/half grant and use of a portion of the DEQ fine toward repairs.
Councilor Suzanne Hood and others noted city responsibilities for permits, inspections and environmental approvals; Councilor Lindsey Wenick emphasized traffic-control logistics, suggesting simple road closures and alternate routes. With consensus on the approach, Mayor Brad Smith moved to proceed with Underground Tech for the repairs; the motion was seconded by Councilor Hood and passed unanimously.
Authorities present in the discussion or referenced included the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), the Oregon Association of Water Utilities (Keith Bidel was cited), Business Oregon (Feather Sams Huestis cited) and HECO engineering mappings. Council directed staff to pursue the cured-in-place option and associated funding avenues; work must align with the DEQ summer 2025 timeline and applicable permit requirements.
