Welcome to the City of Hubbard Public Works Wastewater Page
Wondering what the Wastewater Treatment Plant does? When water from your faucet enters the drain, it then becomes sewage which is required by law to go through treatment before being put back out into the environment. After your sewage leaves your home, it travels through a network of underground pipes to the City's Wastewater Treatment Plant and enters a "treatment tank." It then goes through a lengthy biological treatment process before it is discharged into Mill Creek.
By law the City is required to perform rigorous testing to ensure what is pumped into Mill Creek does not contain anything which could be detrimental to the environment. City Staff works with DEQ, and attends continuing education classes on a regular basis in order to stay current with new laws.
2022 AUGUST 2-5 SEWER SMOKE TESTING THROUGHOUT HUBBARD
The City of Hubbard has contracted with Civil West Engineering Services to perform smoke testing of the sewer lines. Smoke testing activities are tentatively scheduled to occur between Tuesday, August 2nd through Friday, August 5th. Smoke testing will be undertaken throughout the community during the week.
Smoke testing is an efficient and cost-effective way to identify system leaks and locations where unwanted storm water is entering the sewer lines. These problem areas are quickly identified by the smoke escaping through the holes in the system and being observed above ground by workers.
During testing, residents or businesses may notice smoke escaping from their eaves and yard drains. Smoke should not enter the building unless there exists faulty or improper traps or drains. To minimize the smoke entering your building, please pour water into all drains (sinks, showers, floor drains) prior to the testing. Residents and businesses can rest assured that the smoke is non-toxic, non-staining, non-flammable and is harmless to people, animals, and plants.
During testing, smoke should exit the vent stack of houses and possibly escape through manholes. Any other observed smoke may suggest there is a problem with the sewer system. The presence of the smoke in your house can be an indicator that there are available pathways for dangerous and toxic gases entering your house. If this is the case, a plumbing professional should be contacted. If you notice smoke in your house or on your property please report it immediately to the personnel conducting the test or call the City of Hubbard Public Works at (503) 982-9429.
SEE Smoke Testing Questions & Answers for common questions regarding this process.
Are you a current student interested in pursuing a career in the Public Works Profession? Are you looking for a place to complete your INTERNSHIP? Send us an molinger [at] cityofhubbard.org (EMAIL) or give us a call at 503.982.9429 to find out about current Intern opportunities.
Educational Tours: If your association or school is interested in learning more about the City's Wastewater Treatment Plant, please give us a call at 503.982.9429 to arrange a time to come on site for a tour!
Upcoming State-Mandated Water Re-use Project: Wondering what this project is all about? In about 2006, the City was verbally notified by DEQ that, due to temperature and flow regulations for Mill Creek, we were approaching the point where we would no longer be allowed to discharge treated effluent from our wastewater treatment plant into Mill Creek during the summer months. A study of several options was completed, and Council determined at the time that the Reclaimed Water Irrigation with Staged Mill Creek Discharge was the best option available. This project is estimated at a cost of $2,000,000. So, in anticipation of an official notice to proceed from DEQ coming in the future, the City began collecting and saving for this project in FY 2012/13. When you pay your utility bill every other month, $22.26 is deposited directly into the sewer construction fund specifically for this project. As you can see from our funding thermometer, as of December 31, 2017, the City has set aside $552,608 dollars. READ MORE for additional information!