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Public Works

Show All Answers

1. The catch basin in my parking lot is full of pine needles, can you unplug it?

No. More than likely the catch basins located in a parking lot are on private property and the City does not clean them.

2. Who is responsible for cleaning the catch basins in the street in front of my home?

The City cleans a little under one half of the catch basins annually on a set schedule. If a catch basin is full or is not draining after a rain event it may have been covered with leaves or road debris that needs to be removed from the grate. It is greatly appreciated if citizens rake the material off the catch basin into the street. If the catch basin is not blocked and is not draining, please call the Storm Section at (503) 526-2568.

3. Why does water come out of the catch basin when it rains?

What you are observing could be what we call a bubbler, or it may be plugged. Bubblers are designed to outfall water from the catch basin. If it is raining severely it is likely an overload of the system.

4. Somebody dumped oil in the catch basin. What can the City do about it?

Please call the Public Works Department immediately at (503) 526-2220. Our Municipal Code Compliance Program officer will deal with the violation. The maintenance section will need to investigate the downstream effects and clean up if the responsible party is not willing to deal with the problem immediately.

5. Can you cover the catch basins so that baby ducklings can't fall in?

No. We can't cover catch basins to protect ducklings from falling in. In the spring this is a big concern. Please call the Public Works Department at (503) 526-2220 and we will attempt to retrieve them.

6. What does the Wastewater Section do?

The Wastewater Section maintains the sanitary sewer lines within the City limits. These lines vary from four to 21 inches in diameter. Regular maintenance is necessary to provide the citizens of Beaverton a problem-free sewer system.

7. How are sewer lines maintained?

Video scanning equipment is used in the lines to observe potential problems such as root growth, grease buildup, or failing pipes. Flushing equipment is used to remove grease and roots from lines.

8. Who maintains the lateral from my home or business?

The responsibility of repair and maintenance for the property laterals belongs to the adjacent property owner from their connection at the main to the home or business.

9. There is a manhole in my backyard. What is it for?

The manhole is used for access to the system for maintenance.

10. What should I do if I see liquid flowing out of a manhole?

Stay away from the liquid and call the Wastewater Section immediately at (503) 526-2568.

11. Is it okay to dump grease down my house drains?

No. dumping grease down your house drains will cause grease buildup in your drain lines. Some people believe that if you mix hot water with the grease it will not clog your lines. While this practice may not clog the lines in your immediate house, by the time the grease gets to your lateral it will have cooled enough to build up in your lateral. Keep in mind, you are responsible for the maintenance of your lateral and calling out a plumber for this type of maintenance can be very expensive.

12. Where is the wastewater treated?

Wastewater collected in the City of Beaverton flows to one of two sewage treatment plants, which are operated by Clean Water Services (CWS). One is located at the end of SW Hall Blvd. in Tigard and the other is located on SW River Rd. in Hillsboro.

13. Is it okay to flush plastic items down the toilet?

No. Flushing plastic items and other non-biodegradable material, such as many brands of baby-wipes, down the toilet causes problems in sewer lines. The material will hang up in your line and cause blockages. If the material reaches the treatment plant it will cause problems at the treatment facilities.

14. Is it okay to dump car oil down the sanitary drain system in my house?

No. Oil causes the filtration system at the treatment plant to fail and the filtration system must be cleaned and replaced causing thousands of dollars in damage.

15. Is there anything to keep in mind when I landscape my yard?

When planting trees or other shrubbery consider the location of your sanitary lateral so as not to plant over or near it. The roots can enter into sanitary laterals and cause clogs. Should roots block your sanitary lateral and you have had the roots cleared out of the line, consider using a root abatement to decrease the chance of the roots reappearing soon after removal.

16. How can I tell if my house is hooked up to the storm drain?

The City will investigate the storm drain systems and can dye test if necessary. You may also be able to determine if your house is connected. If you have curbs with holes in them at the street level, dump water into your gutters on a dry day, then watch in the street for the water to flow out. However, if your house is lower than the street you will probably need to ask us for assistance.

17. I think there is a break in one of the drainage systems in my yard. Can you check it out?

Yes. We may be able to investigate. However, it will be the property owner's responsibility to repair the drainage system.

18. Why can't I wash out my painting equipment in the storm drain?

As all of us become more aware of potential water pollution problems, we recognize that we can all do our part to eliminate water contamination. The storm drain system is designed for rainwater that falls from the clouds, not contaminated material. Remember, the stormwater flows into our creeks and rivers and eventually into the ocean.

19. Can the City do anything about all the water in my backyard?

No. However, the Storm Drainage Maintenance program provides customer assistance and will investigate your situation and provide options that could help you resolve your water problems. The City is not responsible for private property issues, but will assist you if an adjacent property is purposely dumping water onto your property.

20. Where does all the water go?

Our City has two main creeks, Beaverton and Fanno. Beaverton Creek flows mostly west from the City to the Tualatin River and collects water from the northerly portion of the City. Fanno Creek flows south from the City to the Tualatin River and collects water from the southerly portion of the City. The Tualatin River flows into the Willamette River, which flows into the Columbia River and then out to the Pacific Ocean.

21. Who is in charge of cleaning up the creeks?

For a spill, emergency personnel are called to assist when maintenance personnel determine it to be severe. If it is a small minor spill, the control or containment is the first priority of the City's Storm Drainage Maintenance staff. It is our job to determine who is responsible for the spill and get them to take care of the clean up work.

General creek maintenance is the responsibility of the abutting property owners. The City has minimal maintenance areas on the creeks.

22. Does the City maintain the detention pond in my neighborhood?

It depends on whether the detention pond is private or public. The City maintains all public detention ponds.

23. Who is going to mow this tall grass in the pond by my house?

There are hundreds of ponds throughout the City. Some are publicly maintained, some are privately maintained, and some are not maintained at all. If you have such a pond and are not able to determine who is responsible for the maintenance, we should be able to identify ownership.

24. What is storm detention?

A storm detention is the holding back of rainwater in the conveyance system and then releasing it at a slower rate into the storm drain.

25. Can we get some of those storm drain markers for a Boy Scout / Girl Scout troop project?

Yes, the storm drain markers are available to anyone interested in marking the front of the catch basins. Unfortunately, we can only supply the stencil, the paint is your responsibility.

26. Why aren’t potholes patched immediately?

The staff attempts to patch all potholes within 48 hours of notification. To report a pothole, call the Operations Department at (503) 526-2220.

27. How are streets selected for resurfacing?

The City’s Pavement Management System is used for planning and budgeting. Streets are inspected by staff and then prioritized based on need and available funds. The proposed streets are sent to the mayor and City Council for review during the annual budget process. If approved, the resurfacing process takes place during the next fiscal year.

28. Why do the road crews always have to do their work during the busiest part of the day?

Crews often schedule their work so that they miss the morning rush hour commute and the evening commute home, and attempt to do their work between those times. However, some utilities such as water, telephone or gas services must be repaired as soon as possible to provide immediate services to the public. Therefore, those unplanned repairs take place immediately.

29. Why don’t they overlay the streets at night?

Nighttime resurfacing is very dangerous for the work crews. The warm weather during the day allows the paving material to adhere well to the old surface. The colder temperatures at night are not good for paving operations. Also, paving and construction are very noisy. Most of the areas within the City are urban and close to neighborhoods which by City code prohibits noise from 10:00 pm to 7:00 am.

30. How do I report a burned out streetlight?

The City of Beaverton owns some streetlights, but other streetlights are owned by Portland General Electric. Please call the Traffic Maintenance Section at (503) 526-2206 to report a burned out streetlight.

31. How do I report a malfunctioning traffic signal?

If the problem is a signal timing issue, please contact the City Project Engineer at (503) 526-2426. Otherwise contact the Public Works Department at (503) 526-2220.

32. Does the City require a permit for a homeowner or business to remove a tree?

Yes. The City requires the owner of the property to obtain a permit prior to removing any tree located within the rights of way. For permit application information, contact City of Beaverton Planning Division at (503) 526-2420 for information on permits to remove a tree on private property. Contact Site Development at (503) 526-2552 for information on tree work within the rights of way.

33. Does the City require a permit for a homeowner or business to prune trees?

A homeowner should contact the City of Beaverton Planning Division at (503) 526-2420 to determine if a permit will be required to prune trees. Be careful not to prune trees with overhead power lines running through or nearby - contact the appropriate utility company before pruning.

34. Who is responsible for leaf disposal from street trees?

The property owner is responsible for leaf disposal.

35. What types of trees can be planted in the public right-of-way?

The City maintains a list of Approved Street Trees or you may contact Urban Forestry at 503-526-2237 or 503-526-2206.

36. Who is responsible for leaf disposal from street trees?

The property owner is responsible.

37. What are the street trees height regulations for providing proper clearance for traffic?

In residential areas, the street trees should be trimmed to not less than 12 feet over the street and not less than 8 feet over the sidewalk so that none of the branches block any part of the sidewalk or the street. On other streets such as major arterials and collectors, the street trees should be trimmed to not less than 14 feet over the street and not less than 10 feet over the sidewalk. (Measure straight up from the inside of the curb on the street side and straight up from the sidewalk side.) For more information, please refer to the City of Beaverton Tree Planting and Maintenance Policy or contact Urban Forestry at 503-526-2237 or 503-526-2206.

38. Does the City provide insect and disease control for street trees?

No, insect and disease control for trees located within the right-of-way is the responsibility of each property owner. For more information and recommendations for treatments, contact Urban Forestry at  503-526-2237 or 503-526-2206.

39. Does the City have any regulations regarding the planting of street trees?

Yes, please refer to the City of Beaverton Tree Planting and Maintenance Policy. Unless otherwise stated, please call the Landscape / Urban Forestry Section at 503-526-2237 or 503-526-2206, to report a problem or obtain additional information.