The rupture of a 14-inch sewer line near Water Street and Gaines Street caused sinkholes in the riparian area near downtown, with one of the holes partially swallowing one of the city’s vacuum trucks that was being sent in for an emergency.
The sewer line failure — a critical piece in Port Townsend’s sewage system as the pipe serves all of downtown and most of Uptown — led to it earlier this week
Sewage overflowing from maintenance holes in the area. Sewage also began gushing through the sidewalk, according to a Dec. 28 memo from Steve King, the director of public works, to city manager John Mauro.
In the memo, King also said the city had received calls from nearby apartment residents and the Bayview Restaurant that sewage was backing up in basements.
According to King, a 7-foot section of asbestos concrete pipe failed, and the pipe was described as “brittle and thin-walled.”
The pipe, which is about 10 feet below ground, was likely damaged by the extreme flooding on the morning of December 27, city officials said.
The city reported the sewage overflow to the Environment Agency
Department of Health and Jefferson County Health, according to King.
While city officials earlier this week said no sewage flowed directly into Port Townsend Bay after the break, King noted in his Dec. 28 memo, “If any sewage made it into PT Bay, employees expect.” that it was less than about 50 gallons.”
The broken pipe was discovered on Tuesday December 27 after city officials noticed the sewer in the area was overflowing.
Emergency repairs to the failed main began last week, using garbage pumps to pump sewage from the overflowing pipe to the Gaines Street lift station.
Sewers were restored at 1:00 p.m. on December 27.
Bypass pumps were then used to handle sewage flows and prevent any spillage into Port Townsend Bay.
Seton Construction was called in to oversee the repair work and excavation in the area began on December 28th.
Officials also learned that a storm drain pipe crossing the sewer line was also leaking.
In addition to the 7 foot section of mainline that failed, the remaining 120 feet of mainline were full of sediment. This pipe section is also to be replaced.
Workers also discovered a maintenance hole completely filled with stones, sand, and asphalt.
A sink hole was discovered when the sidewalk gave way under a city vacuum truck that had been sent to the scene.
The road collapsed under the truck’s rear axle and the truck was damaged, but no one was hurt, according to King’s note.
Repair costs are estimated at $150,000.
Port Townsend City Council is expected to pass an emergency declaration on the sewer line failure at its meeting on Tuesday 3rd January. The resolution will ratify the city manager’s actions for emergency repairs.
According to the city, the costs for the sewer pipe renewal will be covered by funds from the budget approved for other projects, and an addendum to cover the costs may be required in the first quarter of 2023.
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