Nonconforming Sewer Connections
A party sewer, or non-conforming sewer, is a privately owned sewer line shared by two or more properties. These lines commonly access the public sewer system through a private sewer line located in the public right-of-way or a private line crossing through adjacent privately owned properties. The City of Portland estimates that 10,000 to 12,000 properties may be served by party sewers.
Records
Unfortunately, the city does not have reliable records of party sewers. Party sewers are more common in areas with older infrastructure. City plumbing records, and other records of sewer connection, may provide some useful information. City plumbing records may be obtained from the Bureau of Development Services, Resource/Records at 1900 SW 4th Avenue, Portland, OR 97201 or by calling 503-823-7660.
Verifying a Non-Conforming Sewer Connection
A video sewer line inspection may be necessary to verify whether a property is connected to a party sewer. A video sewer line inspection involves inserting a flexible cable with a video camera attached to the tip into the sewer line. The camera transmits video images of the inside of the line and a permanent recording can be made. A video sewer line inspection is also useful for assessing the condition of the sewer line. Private plumbing contractors or property inspection services typically perform video sewer line inspections.
Party Sewer Connections and City Code
Portland's Uniform Plumbing Code requires each property to have an independent connection and legal route of access to the public sewer. The city will not approve new party sewer lines or repair of existing party sewer lines if separate connection to the public sewer is feasible.
Portland City Code (PCC) 17.33.105 requires that a non-conforming sanitary sewer connection be abandoned within 180 days of city notification to affected property owners that individual and direct sanitary sewer connections are available.
Existing Party Sewers
Existing party sewers may be allowed to remain if a recorded private easement and maintenance agreement between the owners of the properties served by the party sewer was recorded before January 2, 2008. A property owner may lose use of a party sewer line if no such easements were recorded, and one or more of the parties decides not to grant an easement or enter into a maintenance agreement. Each property owner may then be required to connect separately to the public sewer.
Sewer Conversion Program
The Portland City Council adopted the Sewer Conversion Program on January 2, 2008. The program requires properties connected to a party sewer that have public sewer available to serve the property to disconnect from the party sewer and provide a separate connection to the public sewer.
Where public sewer is currently not available, properties will be required to connect to the public sewer when the city extends the public sewer service to the property. Affected property owners will be required to share in the cost of the public sewer extension. The cost may be locked-in through an agreement with the city to participate in a future local improvement district to extend the sewer.
Investigate Before You Buy
The city recommends a video sewer line inspection of a property's sewer line be completed before you enter into a sale agreement. The inspection will provide information on the condition of the sewer line, any repairs that may be necessary and also confirm whether the property is connected to a party sewer line.
Financial Assistance
Environmental Services offers financing for private plumbing costs and city sewer fees, if applicable. Qualification for the loans is not based on income or credit history. Loans have a fixed interest rate, low set up cost and monthly repayment schedules of five, ten and, sometimes, 20 years. There are also no prepayment penalties for early payoff. The Safety Net Loan Program also offers low-interest loans with deferred payment options to owner occupants who meet low-income qualifications.
