Barnes Road Pump Station

Project Type:
Pump station
Project Status: 
Under Construction
Location: 
7305 SW Barnes Road
Portland, OR

Project Details

UPDATE: Planned water service shut offs will occur on Wednesday, August 28 and Thursday, August 29, 2024, each day for six (6) hours from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., to connect customer's water service lines to the new water main on SW Viewmont Drive.

  • Wednesday, August 28: The following house numbers will be affected: 625, 640, 645, 650, 655, 660, 665, 670, 675, 680, 685, 695, 705, 710, 715, 725, 730, and 735. 
  • Thursday, August 29: The following house numbers will be affected: 600, 630, 795, 800, 805, 810, 815, 820, 825, 835, and 845. 

Tualatin Valley Water District (TVWD) has built a new pump station on SW Barnes Road and installed new water main to serve the Catlin Crest neighborhood. 

The final phase of this project is underway, and includes installing and connecting new water main to the new pump station to serve the Viewmont neighborhood.

Water mains are underground pipes that carry treated drinking water from a water treatment plant to a customer’s home or business. Pump stations connect to water mains through inlet and outlet pipes, and use pumps to boost the pressure of the water to ensure it can flow through the distribution pipes to all consumers. 

The project will improve the water system in this area by:

  • Replacing aging infrastructure. 
  • Upgrading infrastructure with a history of leaks. 
  • Improving water and fire flow capacity to the area. 

This project is supported by water rates.

A map of the project area is below.

Final Phase Timeline

  • Construction: June - October 2024

The project timeline is subject to change.

Final Phase Process

This last phase of this project will occur in three steps: 

STEP #1 - COMPLETE

June 24 to July 23, 2024: Directional Drilling and Water Main Installation
Approximately 200 feet of new, 14-inch water main was installed under Barnes Road, from just past SW Miller Road to SW Viewmont Drive.  

STEP #2 - COMPLETE

July 24 to mid-August 2024: Water Main Installation under Viewmont Drive
Approximately 700 feet of new, 8-inch water main will be installed under Viewmont Drive. Installation will begin at Barnes Road and end where the loop begins at the top of Viewmont Drive.    

STEP #3 - UPCOMING

August 28 and 29, 2024: Water Main and Pump Station Connection
The water main under Viewmont Drive will be connected to the new Barnes Road Pump Station.  TVWD will decommission the old pump stations on Barnes Road that previously served the Catlin Crest and Viewmont neighborhoods and restore landscaping in the immediate area.    

Impacts During Step #3

  • Workdays and Hours: Work will occur Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.   
  • Noise, Vibrations, and Dust: Customers will experience noise, vibrations, and dust while water service lines are connected to the newly installed 8-inch water main. TVWD and the contractor will be closely monitoring levels to ensure they remain within safe limits.        
  • Planned Water Service Shut Off: Over a two day period spanning Wednesday, August 28 and Thursday, August 29, 2024, water service to customers on Viewmont Drive will be temporarily shut off for six hours from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. while the contractor connects customer’s water service lines to the new water main. Customers will receive notification 48 hours in advance of the planned shut off. 
  • Water Pressure: Customers on Viewmont Drive will likely not notice a big difference in their water pressure after the project concludes. 

After Construction 

  • Road Restoration: Temporary road surfaces will be maintained until final road restoration can be scheduled, based on weather.   

Keep in Touch

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FAQs

How does TVWD safeguard customers' plumbing before and after conducting a planned water shut off?

When TVWD needs to temporarily shut off water during a project, we start by turning off your water meter. This step isolates your home or business plumbing from any pressure changes in the water system. After maintenance/project is completed, our inspectors and contractors flush the new water main and test the water quality to ensure it is safe.  

During water service shut offs, it's best for customers to keep their water turned off in their homes. This prevents a drop in pressure in their private plumbing system. By doing so, they can safeguard their plumbing from potential damage and ensure everything runs smoothly once the water service is back on. 

How will traffic control be managed when the new water main is being installed under SW Viewmont Drive, from SW Barnes Road up to where the loop begins at the top of the hill? 

The traffic control plan has been reviewed and approved by Washington County as part of TVWD’s roadway permit.  During the Step #2 water main installation, Viewmont Drive will be reduced to one lane of alternating traffic from the loop at the top of the hill down to Barnes Road. To manage this: 

  • Traffic Controllers: Trained flaggers will be on-site to safely direct traffic.  
  • Clear Signage: Signs will be posted well in advance to alert drivers of the upcoming lane reduction and direct them on what to do. 

After the new main is installed under SW Viewmont Drive, will it affect customer's water pressure?

Customers on Viewmont Drive will likely not notice a big difference in their water pressure after the new water main begins serving water to the neighborhood. 

TVWD is responsible for delivering water up to the meter, after which the homeowner's plumbing system takes over.  TVWD delivers water to customers at a pressure that is safe for use and compliant with industry standards. The plumbing system beyond the water meter is the responsibility of the homeowner. 

What actions should customers take if their water pressure is above 80 psi?

Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code requires homeowners to install a pressure reducing valve (PRV) when water pressure at their meter exceeds 80 psi.  

This requirement is intended to protect plumbing fixtures, appliances, and pipes from potential damage that can occur at higher pressures. PRVs help maintain a safe and consistent water pressure within a residential or commercial plumbing system, ensuring longevity and preventing leaks or bursts due to excessive pressure. 

TVWD does not install PRVs at residential homes. Instead, installing and maintaining PRVs within individual homes is the choice and responsibility of the homeowner. 

TVWD recommends that homeowners – with water pressure of 80 psi or above – hire a licensed plumber to further assess their water pressure and install appropriate PRV(s) to ensure optimal pressure levels within their homes. This approach allows homeowners to tailor their plumbing systems to their specific needs. 

Questions


Updated: August 21, 2024

Barnes Pump Station Project Area & Outreach