Contractor to work overnight to rehab section of sewer pipes

posted on 9/11/2024

A city contractor is installing liners in the sanitary sewer main on a section of Central Avenue and Ash Street to extend their life while reducing the potential of inflow and infiltration from groundwater. Completing the work will require temporarily sealing off individual connections to the sanitary sewer main for one night, six to eight hours.

The project consists of cleaning, video inspection, and relining about 2,700 linear feet of sewer lines: Central Avenue from Wentworth-Douglass Hospital’s emergency room entrance to Ash Street and on Ash Street from Central Avenue to Mount Vernon Street. It’s anticipated to be completed by the end of the month.

The contractor, Green Mountain Pipeline Services, LLC of Bethel, Vermont, will twice notify residents and businesses when their connection will be sealed off: one week before and 24 hours before. The notices will remind users to limit the water going down drains to an absolute minimum during the overnight.

These include not using washing machines or dishwashers. If you must shower, leave the water in the tub until your service has been restored. Any sump pumps connected to the sewer system must be disconnected and/or discharged elsewhere to avoid possible damage to the liner or sewer backups. Failure to follow the instructions may cause sewer discharges to back up on the property.

The contractor will again notice the property when sewer service is restored.

During the operation, users may detect an odor. This usually occurs in houses or buildings with dry or non-existent plumbing traps. In most cases, odors can be minimized by pouring several gallons of water down sinks, showers and toilets.

For more information, contact Community Services at 603-516-6450.