Sanitary Sewer System

The City of Hood River’s sewer collection system is comprised of over 50 miles of sewer mains and appurtenant facilities including seven sanitary sewer lift stations located within the Hood River Urban Growth Area (UGA). The system has been expanded to the southeast and to the west within the UGA in response to rapid urban development that has occurred over the past several years.

See Current Sanitary Sewer Projects HERE.

See Infiltration & Inflow Study HERE.

Backwater Prevention Program

In 2006, the City Council adopted a sewer backwater prevention program (Hood River Municipal Code (HRMC) 12.03.040). The program parallels requirements of the State of Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code requirements relating to the installation of sewer backwater valves. Backwater valves are required by the HRMC when “the lowest floor level of a structure to be connected to the city wastewater system is below a point which is 12 inches above the top of the nearest upstream manhole or cleanout structure.”

The City will provide a backwater valve at no cost to the owner of an existing residential property that is connected to the City’s sewer system. The cost of installing the backwater valve is the property owner’s responsibility. The HRMC does provide for financial assistance from the City for the installation of a backwater valve in cases of demonstrated need.

The HRMC also requires the seller of a residential property to deliver a Compliance Report to the buyer as part of every real estate transaction.

Wastewater Treatment Plant

The City of Hood River wastewater treatment plant, located on City property at the west end of the Port of Hood River, is operated under contract by JACOBS. Plant capacity is three million gallons per day. Current average daily summertime flows are approximately one million gallons. Wintertime flows may increase significantly due to inflow and infiltration. The City consistently meets or exceeds Oregon Department of Environmental Quality requirements related to the effluent that it discharges to the Columbia River.

Industrial users discharging waste to the City of Hood River sanitary sewer system may be required to provide pretreatment and may be assessed additional treatment charges.

The January 2022 Local Limits Development Report linked below has been prepared by Jacobs Engineering Group Inc., under contract and in cooperation with the City of Hood River, for submittal to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ). These local limits have been developed in accordance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 2004 Technical Support Document, Local Limits Development Guidance (EPA 2004), the Oregon DEQ Guidance for Industrial Pretreatment Programs (ODEQ 2019), and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit No. OR0020788.

Technically Based Local Limits for the Hood River Wastewater Treatment Plant

Sewer Connection and Usage Charges

Sewer connection fees consist of the system development charge (SDC) plus the connection fee. Sewer fees are based on the size of the water meter. Most residential users have a ¾” or a 1” meter. Construction of the connection from the main to the residence is the responsibility of the customer. A Construction Site Permit must be obtained from the City and a street opening bond must be provided before any work is done. The work must be inspected by the City inspector. The City is currently cataloging and taking a census on all water meters and sewer connections.

See the City of Hood River Consolidated Fee Schedule for Sewer Connection and Usage Charges:

Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG)

Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) is a leading cause of sewer backups into homes and crawlspaces. FOG occurs when cooking fats are poured down the drain and coat the inside of the pipes, eventually forming a blockage. Each year the number of FOG related blockages and emergency call outs and repairs increases with the growing size of our population and visitors. Hood River wants our residential customers and guests to be aware of how they can help limit these kinds of events and maintain uninterrupted services within our City.

Take a look at this short video from the BBC about FOG and fatbergs. Although we are nowhere near the size of London, the process and its effects are still the same in our system. All of this has to make it’s way downstream to be treated at JACOBS before reentering the environment.

WIPES CLOG PIPES – In addition to FOG, there is a new danger to our sewers: “disposable” wipes. Cleaning wipes, baby wipes, and other wipes that are sometimes described as “disposable” or “flushable” generally do not dissolve when flushed. Instead, they accumulate in sewer systems causing clogs and backups.

Please call Public Works (541-386-2383) for costs of larger services and for commercial usage charges.