The City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities has been engaged in an ongoing project to rehabilitate deteriorating sewer mains throughout the City. The sewer rehabilitation project uses sewer lining technology, called cured-in-place-pipe (CIPP), which has been utilized in the city for over three decades to significantly reduce the costs associated with replacing the sewer infrastructure in an aging system. The lining of the sewer strengthens and extends the usable life cycle of the system -reducing the need to excavate. Heavy reliance on excavation is costly and requires long term road closures and other activities that can be disruptive.

The sewer lining technology utilizes styrene, a colorless component of the resin-based CIPP which has been safely used in the field for decades. While styrene -odors are emitted during the CIPP curing process, they are usually short-term, as the -odors begin to dissipate after curing is complete. DPU has used this technology for over three decades with only periodic odor issues. 

To prevent or minimize the odor from entering buildings, residents should ensure that the traps in their waste drainage pipes are filled with water. Traps should be present at all plumbing fixtures (e.g., sinks, tubs, showers, washers and dishwashers). A wet towel will help reduce odors thru floor drains that do not have a trap. [Note that smelling odors may be an indication that your plumbing system may not protect you on an ongoing basis from gases normally present in sewer systems.] Should odors be detected, ventilation of the area by opening windows and using a fan will help reduce and dissipate odors. This odor should dissipate shortly after the curing process is completed, as styrene rapidly evaporates and biodegrades in the environment.

Short-term exposure is considered safe for the general population, including infants and children. Styrene has a strong glue-like odor and can be smelled at levels well below those which may be considered harmful. Residents experiencing persisting odors, after taking the precautions noted above, can request a styrene field measurement (calibrated to 2 PPM and above).

Questions on this sewer rehabilitation project should be directed to:

Quinton Nottingham, Department of Public Utilities – 804-646-5365

Scott Johns, Jacobs-Construction Management – 804-869-8860