BEND, OR -- Construction will begin work this fall on Phase one of Bend's Septic to sewer conversion project. Project Engineer Lindsey Cromsigt says the Desert Woods Neighborhood Extension Project covers a lot of ground, "The project is installing gravity sewer mains down Greenmont Drive, Desert Woods Drive, King Solomon Court, King Hezekiah Way, 15th Street, Hollis Lane, and within the Nottingham Square subdivision to get up to 145 homes off of their septic system and on to municipal sewer." The Phase One work was approved by City Council in February.

Council Outlines Septic to Sewer Timeline (09/07/2018)

The project involves installing 10,500 lineal feet of septic pipe, and Cromsigt expects it will take at least two years. It also allows the city of Bend to decommission two pump stations. The next step is to secure a contractor. "We do anticipate to go to construction hopefully in November," Cromsigt tells KBND News, "And the project should last about a duration of two years. Once we have a contractor on board, we'll have a better idea of what the schedule of the project will be that makes the most sense, constructability-wise." The contractor will be responsible for organizing neighborhood meetings to discuss potential changes to traffic patterns and other local impacts; the first is likely to be scheduled for October.

There are 2,800 properties in Bend that need to eventually convert to the city's sewer system. Cromsigt says the full project will take many years, "We're allocating $2.5 million a year, and that is funded by rate payers; and additionally, this project, specifically, the city added another $10 million of our capital improvement project fund."

You'll find more information on the city's website.