Sewer Collection – Capital Improvement Projects
The City of Vancouver works to provide a reliable, effective and efficient sewer system for the community. This wastewater collection system includes approximately 785 miles of total sewer lines and 41 pump stations. Overall efforts help protect and enhance the quality of our urban water resources, improve wastewater service and eliminate environmental health problems. The projects listed below are part of the City Sewer Collection program and help provide capital improvements to our infrastructure. Corresponding project maps are shown at the bottom.
Current Projects – Under Construction
Watch here for updates as design projects are moved to the construction phase.
E-Interceptor Rehabilitation (Water Resources Education Center to Wintler Park)
The City of Vancouver is rehabilitating an existing large-diameter, interceptor sewer pipe that has been in service for over 50 years. The pipe is located in an easement traversing several properties within the Columbia Way and Riverview neighborhoods, between the city’s Water Resources Education Center and Wintler Park. This rehabilitation project will help prolong the service life expectancy for this sewer pipe for another 50+ years.
In August, crews brought in construction equipment and placed temporary, above-ground piping. This project, near the eastern end of Southeast Columbia Way, uses trenchless technology methods to line the interior of the pipe in place. Construction is expected to occur from August through November.
During this same timeframe, Wintler Community Park will have some reduced early morning hours and limited closures to vehicle traffic. Typical night work hours in the park will be from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m., Sunday night through Friday morning. Watch for signs posted along Southeast Beach Drive alerting drivers to closures.
Here are some frequently asked questions to help you learn more about this project:
What is this project? How long will it last?
We are restoring the largest section of interceptor sewer pipe in the city near the eastern end of Southeast Columbia Way. This underground pipe runs about 4,600 feet between Vancouver’s Water Resources Education Center and Wintler Community Park and has been in service for over 50 years. Project work will occur from August through November. General daytime working hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday.
What kind of impacts will there be to Wintler Community Park?
Work in Wintler Community Park will occur at night to lessen impacts to community members who use this popular park. From August through November, Wintler Community Park will have some reduced early morning hours and limited closures to vehicle traffic. Typical night work hours in the park will be from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m., Sunday night through Friday morning. Watch for signs posted along Southeast Beach Drive alerting drivers to closures.
Can I get to Wintler Community Park on foot or bike?
Yes, pedestrians and cyclists can use the paths through the park during project work and following normal park hours.
What’s up with construction and disruption near Columbia Way and Wintler Community Park?
The project uses “trenchless” technology methods where the majority of the work happens underground and eliminates the need to dig up the existing pipe. This results in limited excavation, less disruption to neighbors and no interruption to sewer service. The goal is to have fewer disruptions for community members.
What are the black pipes above the ground? And why are there two rows of them?
You’ll see temporary, above-ground piping along the project route. The pipes above the ground will be used as a temporary bypass route as the underground pipes are being rehabilitated. There are two rows of pipes. One is used to transfer material to the Marine Park Wastewater Treatment Plant; the other pipe is there as a backup and for redundancy if something occurs with the first pipe.
Southside Interceptor Rehabilitation Phase 4 & 5 (East 5th Street & East 6th Street)
This project encompasses the fourth and fifth phases of an ongoing project to rehabilitate existing large-sized sewer pipes that have been in service for more than 70 years. The project, spanning across the Esther Short and Hudson’s Bay neighborhoods, will prolong the service life expectancy for another 50+ years. Trenchless construction methods will be used for this project to help minimize disruption to the public. Work will occur along East 5th Street and East 6th Street, starting at Grand Boulevard and continuing west to Main Street. You will see equipment and pipes placed along the project route. The piping will be used as a temporary bypass route as the underground pipes are rehabilitated.
Current Projects – Design Phase
GMA Force Main and Pump Station Upgrades
This project is located in the area of NE 39th Street and NE 172nd Avenue. Work will include construction of new pressurized sewer mains along with upgrading local pump stations to improve reliability and provide redundancy.
Franklin Street Sewer Replacement
This project includes the installation of new sanitary sewer pipes in Esther Street and West Fourth Plain Boulevard and the replacement of the existing sewer in Franklin Street. The installation of new sewer in Esther Street and Fourth Plain Boulevard, bounded by Franklin Street and Daniels Street, will help eliminate substandard sewer connections to the public sewer. The Franklin Street project, between West 25 and 27th streets, will upgrade the aging sewer lines constructed in 1911.
Pearson Airport Pump Station Upgrade
This project will relocate and upgrade the existing pump station. The new station will operate with better efficiency, reduce maintenance and provide up-to-date monitoring with enhanced technology.
Fourth Plain Sewer Improvements
This project includes installation of new sanitary sewer pipelines in West Fourth Plain Boulevard, between Broadway Street and F Street, to eliminate substandard sewer connections to the public sewer. These sewer improvements border both Shumway and Arnada neighborhoods, with all work taking place within the right-of-way.
