PROJECT DETAILS

This project is a vital long-term investment in the city’s water system that will improve service reliability and support the future growth of the City of Oregon City. It will improve the city’s upper water system by installing about 7,000 feet of larger water pipes (24-inch instead of existing 16-inch) while repurposing an existing 16-inch pipeline to deliver water to neighborhoods. It will also replace the old, outdated and undersized Fairway Downs Pump Station with a larger, more efficient pump station at the Henrici Reservoir Site.

Key improvements include:

• New Pump Station: Construction of the Henrici Pump Station will replace the outdated Fairway Downs Pump Station. The new facility will serve existing customers in the Timberview Development and those served by the Fairway Downs Pump Station. In addition, the pump station will be “right sized” to accommodate growth in portions of the Thimble Creek area.
• Water Mainline Pipe Upgrade: The Henrici Reservoir is currently fed by an existing 16-inch water main. This main also provides water to the city’s upper water system, general south of Mountainview Street. This project will construct a larger 24‑inch transmission mainline to increase the amount of water to meet current and future demands. This pipeline will be constructed from Glen Oak Road to the Henrici Reservoir along S. Henrici Road and S. Beavercreek Road to improve water delivery and future demand, especially in peak summer months.
• System Connection Improvements: Reusing the existing 16‑inch transmission mainline pipe to deliver water to neighborhoods in the new Thimble Creek service area and connecting customers to the upgraded system for more reliable service.

HOW WILL THIS PROJECT BENEFIT THE COMMUNITY

Improved Water Supply and Pressure

This project is an investment in Oregon City's water infrastructure that will result in better service.

Increased Capacity

By upgrading to larger water pipes and a new larger pump station, the system can deliver more water to the community to meet peak demands now and in the future.

Increased Reliability & Efficiency

Currently the water system struggles to deliver water to its customers and storage reservoirs during the hot summer months when demand is high. These conditions cause our undersized pump station to operate 24 hours a day without a break. Replacement of the pump station with a “right sized” pump station will allow the pumps to operate fewer hours to deliver the water needed, reducing the wear and tear on the pumps. The new pump station will not only be more reliable but it will operate more efficiently, reducing power costs.  

The larger water transmission will also improve the city’s ability to deliver water to the system and reduce the potential impacts to service from main breaks, seen in older pipe that have outreached their useful life.  

Emergency Response

Being able to keep our reservoirs full while meeting customer demands is ideal to provide water in an emergency. As an example, during winter of 2021, the city’s water supplier South Fork Water, lost power and was unable to deliver water to our system for 3 days. During this time, the city relied on its water stored in reservoirs to meet water demands.

PROJECT MAPS & WEBLINKS

MAPS

 Project Map - 2024

WEBLINKS 

Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) Program

WIFIA Projects

City Construction Projects Traffic Impact Map

All City Projects Interactive Map

public works dictionary

Groundwater is a naturally occurring source of water located below the ground’s surface. It can be impacted by stormwater (rain, snow) that soaks into the ground filling the tiny spaces between rocks, sand and dirt under the surface. Groundwater levels fluctuate throughout the year as the seasons become more wet (high groundwater level) or dry in the summer (low groundwater levels). It’s like water hiding in a sponge, but underground! 

Infiltration happens when groundwater leaks into the underground public sewer system through cracked pipes, broken manholes or improperly connected roof drains. Infiltration increases during winter and spring when groundwater levels are high. This increase can overload the sewer system, leading to backups and system failures. Because this additional water must be treated at the wastewater treatment plant, it increases costs for both the city and utility customers.

Inflow is when surface stormwater enters the sanitary sewer system through direct connections such as downspouts from roofs, sump pumps, or improperly connected stormwater pipes. Inflow can significantly increase flows during rainstorm events - potentially overloading the sewer systems and leading to sewage backups. Like infiltration, inflow raises treatment and maintenance costs, while placing additional strain on wastewater facilities. More critically, it threatens both environmental and public health. Inflow is the primary cause of peak surges in sewer flow during storm events. 

Lateral Lines (laterals) Sewer laterals are small pipes that connect a home or business to the public sewer system. These pipes carry wastewater or stormwater away from the buildings into the public mainline sewer systems. Typically, each home or business has a single sewer lateral.  In Oregon City, maintenance of sewer laterals is divided between the property owner and the City. 

Main lines are large pipes within our water, sanitary sewer and stormwater sewer systems designed for higher volumes.

Manholes are below ground structures used to access the City’s sewer systems for inspections and maintenance. You can identify manholes by the large round metal lids typically found within the roadway. Manholes are also used to change the direction of sewer pipes (like turning a corner); shift pipes from one side of the road to the other, or to combine flows (from two or more pipes into one main pipe (done for sanitary and storm sewer systems). 

Public Right of Ways (ROW) are portions of land dedicated for use like sidewalks, roads, and access to public utilities (such as water, sewer, etc.). Government agencies (city, county, state) are responsible for maintaining and managing these spaces. Think of it like the Oregon City Public Library. The city (government) owns it, but everyone can use it, and the city workers are like janitors who keep it clean, safe and working properly. The ROW is a shared community space and is protected by important rules and regulations. 

Rehabilitation (Rehab) restores the current system by improving the conditions to help make them last longer. 

Repairs, unlike rehabilitation, are long-term solutions.  These can include full pipe replacements, new pavement, etc. 

Sanitary sewer lines are underground pipes that carry wastewater away from buildings (homes, businesses, etc.), to be treated at a treatment plant. 

Sewage is a type of wastewater that typically contains human waste. Oftentimes the term sewage and wastewater are used interchangeably but not all wastewater contains sewage.

Sewer Systems consist of all the parts that make up the city's sanitary and stormwater collection systems. These include pipes, manholes, and pumps that are maintained by the city to transport different types of water (stormwater and sewage). Note: Sanitary Sewer Systems and Stormwater Sewer Systems are two different collection systems. 

Stormwater is rainwater that flows into gutters and the stormwater sewer system. As the water runs off rooftops, streets and other hard surfaces, it can collect dirt, oils, and debris, becoming polluted. To help clean this runoff, the city uses specifically designed raingardens, ponds, planters and other structures to treat the water before it releases back into the environment.

Stormwater collectors collect rainwater or channel rainwater. Examples include catch basins and roof gutters. 

Streetscape is broad term for the various components that make public spaces more welcoming.  While streets provide access from one place to another (focused on movement), streetscapes provide the experience and overall look of an area that can define a community’s identity, economic activity, social cohesion, public health, and quality of life (to include mobility). This is achieved by adding things such as street trees, planters, street furniture (i.e. trash receptacles, benches), sidewalks, and streetlights. Special elements can include public art, water fountains and drinking fountains.

Treatment is the process to remove pollutants from wastewater to make the water safe for reuse or release into the State’s waterways.

Wastewater is a combination of sewage and dirty/used water from toilets, sinks, washers, showers and other household or commercial sources. This water travels through the sanitary sewer system - which includes lateral lines and main lines - to a treatment facility.  

Wastewater Treatment Facilities (also referred to as "wastewater treatment plant" or "sewage treatment plant") are the locations where wastewater is treated (cleaned) to remove harmful substances (like human waste, chemicals, and food scraps). Once cleaned, it is safe enough to be sent back to the natural water cycle (usually into rivers or oceans) or be reused for things like irrigation.