Pasadena Launches Night Sewer Repairs Using Advanced Pipe Technology

The City of Pasadena begins overnight sewer maintenance this week using innovative cured-in-place pipe technology to rehabilitate aging infrastructure without the disruption of traditional street excavation. The targeted repairs represent a strategic approach to extending the life of the city’s underground systems while minimizing impacts to residents and businesses.

Night crews will work on Los Robles Avenue between Villa Street and Maple Street on Wednesday, May 28, followed by Allen Avenue between Locust Street and Walnut Street on Thursday, May 29. Operations run from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. both nights to minimize traffic disruption.

The advanced repair method inserts a resin-coated liner into existing pipes, then inflates it against inner walls before curing the material with hot water, steam or ultraviolet light. This process creates a new pipe within the existing structure without requiring street excavation.

Each work segment takes two to three days to complete and covers approximately half a city block. While less disruptive than traditional excavation, the overnight work still requires street access and may restrict travel lanes and parking. The curing process can produce temporary odors during completion.

The Los Robles and Allen avenue repairs form part of Pasadena’s comprehensive fiscal 2024-25 sewer relining and point repair project, which commenced on September 30, 2024. The broader initiative encompasses 25,000 linear feet of pipe cleaning and relining citywide, plus rehabilitation of 150 sewer manholes.

This substantial infrastructure investment totals $2,337,600, with the City authorizing a contract with Southwest Pipeline & Trenchless Corp. as the selected contractor for the fiscal year 2024-25 Sewer Relining and Point Repairs Project. The contract includes the base amount of $2,226,250 and a contingency of $111,350 to provide for any necessary change orders.

Pasadena’s sanitary collection system consists of approximately 328 miles of gravity pipelines, serving the majority of parcels within the City’s 23.1 square mile limits. The system conveys an annual average flow of approximately 14 million gallons per day.

The broader project is scheduled for completion in June 2025, representing a comprehensive investment in the city’s underground infrastructure to ensure continued reliable service for residents and businesses.