Sewer Pipe Lining

Sewer Rehabilitation Projects

Public Works Sewer Utility works to to repair and maintain the city's sewer system. Repair and rehabilitation work on deteriorating sewers includes installing sewer liners. Instead of digging up the street to install new sewer pipers, the sewers are repaired by installing a pipe liner within the existing sewer. The sewer liner creates a new long-lasting pipe within the old sewer.

City owned sewers are inspected on a ten year cycle. When a sewer is inspected, a pipe rating is created. Based on review of the sewer inspection data, the city determines if and when a sewer needs to be rehabilitated. Sewer rehabilitation or lining work is coordinated with street reconstruction projects, where possible.

The process of lining a sanitary sewer involves cleaning the sewer and then constructing a new sewer liner within the existing pipe.

The city has been rehabilitating sewers by installing liners since the 1990’s. There are about 800-miles of mainline sanitary sewer in Saint Paul. Over 200-miles of mainline sanitary sewers have been rehabilitated with sewer lining.

Sewer Lining Process

Sewer liner construction is done without excavation by accessing the sanitary sewer through the existing utility covers (manholes) in the street. Sewer liner construction is done by:

• Inserting a resin saturated felt tube made of polyester through existing manholes.
• The resin in the felt tub is cured by a boiler that circulates hot water or steam.
• Connections to private sewer services are restored by the use of a robotic cutter.

See a video about the pipe lining process, also called cured-in-place pipe technology. 

There is a potential for properties to experience glue like smells during the sewer lining process. To reduce the possibility of smells, on the date of sewer lining, pour about one gallon of water into all floor drains and seldom used sinks and tubs to prevent potential odors from entering your property.

See a video about the pipe lining process and the need to pour water into your drain to prevent any odor during the process

What Property Owners Need to Know and Do

What you need to do in advance of the work

• Watch for notifications from the contractor—check your front door. You will receive two notifications—one a week before the work occurs and one the day before the work occurs.
• Check  this project website to see the updated schedule and find out when the contractor will be working in your neighborhood.
• Share this sewer lining information with renters and others in the property.
• Follow all posted signs, including no parking signs.

What you need to do/know during the sewer lining work in your neighborhood

• Your sewer service will be blocked and temporarily out of service during work, if your sewer pipe is being lined. You will be notified about this temporary service disruption.
• Pour one gallon of water into all floor drains (typically in the basement) to restrict potential odors. See graphic below to learn more
• Restrict water usage, including flushing the toilet, showering, running the dishwasher or washing machine, and running water down the drain. Too much water usage during this work will cause your sewer to backup.
• If you notice a strong glue-like odor inside your property or experience any sewer problems, contact Amy Scherer Honigs at 651-266-9720 or sewer maintenance (after hours or evenings) at 651-266-9850.

*Floor drain graphic provided by NASSCO.

2025 and 2026 Sewer Lining Map

Map showing the location of 2025 and 2026 planned sewer lining will be posted soon.