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Sewer inspection finds major I&I problem; city paid small DEQ penalty and will seek authorization for repairs
Summary
Staff reported the most extensive sewer cleaning and camera inspection in at least 14 years (covering over 30% of older collection pipes), identified a significant problem on East First Street, and said the city spent about $40,000 on I&I work in the current fiscal year with roughly $25,000 remaining; an expedited DEQ enforcement offer citing five sanitary sewer overflow events since 2024 resulted in a $600 payment to avoid escalation.
City Administrator Max Baker briefed the council on inflow-and-infiltration (I&I) work in the sewer system, saying staff completed the most extensive cleaning and camera-inspection effort in at least 14 years that covered more than 30% of the older portions of the collection system. A significant problem was identified on East First Street that will require prioritized repairs. Baker reported that approximately $40,000 has been spent on I&I work in the current fiscal year and about $25,000 remains in the budget.
Baker also reported staff received an expedited enforcement offer from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) citing five sanitary sewer overflow events since 2024; the penalty amount stated in the notice was $600 with a 30-day response window and staff issued payment to avoid escalation. Baker said staff will bring a formal amount-not-to-exceed authorization and scoped work plan to the council at the next meeting.
