Lawndale Basin Sewer Rehabilitation
Improvements are planned to the sewer system in the Lawndale Basin in northern Hillsborough. The project will involve performing small dig and repair projects on the main sewer line, resetting some sewer services to the property line, and lining sewer pipes to prevent groundwater and rainwater from entering the sewer system. The original system was installed in the late 1980s and has deteriorated.
The Lawndale Basin is located in northern Hillsborough. The project area includes an easement between Rainey Avenue and Torain Street and portions of:
- Hill Street Circle.
- Lawndale and Rainey avenues.
- Cornelius and Torain streets
The project is estimated to cost $985,000. It will be funded by the American Rescue Plan and customer rates will not be impacted.
Funds from the American Rescue Plan also are commonly referred to as state and local fiscal recovery funds. The federal government allocated funds to other units of government to address local impacts brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Hillsborough Board of Commissioners decided to spend its allocation to address some necessary water and sewer improvement projects. For additional information on Hillsborough's allocation and use of American Rescue Plan funds, see the Budget page on this website.
The town has opened a bid process to select a contractor to perform the work. The project is expected to start in Fall 2023.
The rehabilitation project is a result of a study conducted in 2022 in which the town used a camera to view sewers in the Lawndale Basin, blew smoke in the sewers, and put dye in certain sewers to look at conditions and trace connections from homes.
Project options
The town is bidding the work with options in addition to lining the sewer main. One option may be selected if financially feasible.
Option 1: Line the publicly owned portion of the sewer service line — the section of pipe from the sewer main to the sewer cleanout pipe at the right-of-way line.
Option 2: Line both the public and private portions of the sewer service line. This includes the section between the home and the sewer cleanout pipe at the right-of-way line. This option would best reduce rain and groundwater from entering the sewer system. It would require the property owner's approval, and the town would pay for the cost.
Lining a sewer
To line a sewer, a flexible resin inverted “sock” is inserted into the sewer main through manholes. The sock is fed from a large truck through a manhole with a tripod over it. A crew on the receiving end will secure the lining through another manhole. The sock is then cured or hardened within the pipe to the existing pipe shape, using hot steam or water or sometimes ultraviolet light. A machine is then used to cut openings in the pipe for any sewer services connected to the sewer main.
What to expect
Timeline and hours — The project is expected to start in the summer and take about six months to complete. Construction activities will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday unless approved in writing by the town. Access to adjacent properties and use of roads will be provided.
Preparation — Workers will place a project sign or signs at key entrances to the area and will bring equipment and materials to the area. Paint markings or flags will be placed on the ground where digging may occur. These identify underground utilities. Paint markings wash off with time. Please do not disrupt the project markings.
Equipment — Equipment will include dump trucks and excavators. If materials are stored on private property, the contractor should have a written contract with the property owner.
Safety — Several people will be at the project site, some to observe safety compliance and direct or watch for traffic. If you have any concerns, please contact town staff through the contact methods in the Questions or Concerns section below.
Odor — Occasionally, the curing process for lining a sewer may produce a “glue like” odor that can cause eye irritation, headache, and discomfort during short-term exposure. The odor will disappear once the pipe lining is fully hardened.
The odor may enter your home through the pipe that connects your home to the public sewer main. To eliminate the odor faster, open windows and doors, operate a fan, and briefly turn on water from faucets to fill the P-trap fitting on pipes, a U-shaped pipe that keeps sewer gas and other vapors out of your home or building. If the odor persists after ventilating, contact town staff. Contact information is available in the Questions or Concerns section below.
Post-construction — The contractor will restore areas disturbed by the project.
If you have questions or concerns about this project or would like more information, contact Environmental Engineering Supervisor Bryant Green by email or by phone at 919-296-9630.
