|
City of Columbia City 1840 Second Street, PO Box 189, Columbia City, OR 97018 (503) 397-4010 |
||
Sewer Department
The Sewer Department is responsible for the
operation and maintenance of the sewer collection system. The City's sewer collection system is a
Septic Tank Effluent Gravity (STEG) system and consists of approximately 12
miles of small diameter sewer lines.
Four sewer lift stations (Forest Park on Tahoma Street, "K"
Street on Fifth Street, Pixie Park on The Stand, and River Club Estates on the
south end of Second Street) assist in the sewer flow. A six-inch force main sends the gray water to the City of St.
Helens for treatment. A flow meter vault is located at the Crestwood Manufactured
Home Park on Oregon Street in St. Helens.
There are currently 769 sewer connections. 276 connections are direct flow into the
sewer collection system, while the remaining 493 connections share 416 septic
tanks (359 concrete and 57 steel). There
are also 23 small sewer pumps to overcome elevation problems. In addition to the above numbers, 17 new
tanks were recently installed are awaiting construction. The City is responsible for the maintenance
and replacement of all of the septic tanks connected to the system, as well as
the small pumps that were in place when the Citywide sewer system was
constructed. The City is also
responsible for pumping the septic tanks.
The Sewer Collection Maintenance Department is
funded entirely by charges for service and other sources.
The Sewer Department is staffed by the Public Works Superintendent, Jeff Anderson, and two Utility Workers. The Public Works Superintendent is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations and the development of the City sewer system, and for supervising the sewer system maintenance staff. He can be reached by calling (503) 366-0454, or faxing to (503) 366-2870. His e-mail address is janderson@columbia-city.org, and his mailing address is PO Box 189, Columbia City, OR 97018. The City Shop is located at 1755 Second Place.
Department Objectives for 2006-07:
To continually evaluate sewer system design flow to
ensure it is within its parameters.
Target date: Ongoing.
To retrofit existing septic tanks by raising
accesses, installing clean outs, etc., for easier maintenance. Target date: Ongoing.
To continue to implement the five-year septic tank
pumping plan to prevent sewer backups in accordance with City Council Goal
Number 4. Target date: Ongoing.
To continually add septic tanks where needed in
accordance with City Council Goal Number 4.
Our system was designed for one septic tank per household. In some cases, two or more households share
one septic tank, which has resulted in higher maintenance problems and system
failures. Target date: December 2018.
To upgrade older, failing steel septic tanks with
concrete tanks throughout the system.
Target date: June 2010.
To continue to monitor the system for levels of
hydrogen sulfide and reduce where possible in accordance with City Council Goal
Number 4. Target date: Ongoing.
To continue to work towards the prevention of
inflow and infiltration of sewer lines.
Target date: Ongoing.
To continue to meet all requirements and
regulations governing sewer systems through upgraded facilities and
well-educated staff. Target date: Ongoing.
To emphasize special training and education of
department employees. Target date: Ongoing.
To communicate to the City Council through a
monthly activities report and to the public through the newsletter and Web
site. Target date: Ongoing.
To pursue the completion of scheduled sewer improvement projects as identified in the City's Five-Year Capital Improvement Program and in accordance with City Council Goal Number 4. Target date: Ongoing.
Prior Year Accomplishments:
Approximately 50 septic tanks were pumped as part
of our five-year pumping schedule. Public Works personnel installed 5 new sewer
taps needed for connection by contractors. Columbia City had no reportable
sewer spills. The condition of each of the 57 steel septic tanks has been
documented and tanks have been prioritized for replacement. Larger pumps
were installed at the River Club Estates lift station to increase our capacity
and allow the City of St. Helens to use the force main to dispose of the
backwash from their new water filtration facility. The Five-Year Capital
Improvement Program was updated.