Dear Valued Customer,
On Monday, September 14, 2026, between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., a contactor working for Tualatin Valley Water District, your drinking water provider, will conduct geotechnical borings in your neighborhood on SW Sugar Plum Lane near SW 176th Avenue.
Starting Tuesday, September 8, 2026, utility locators will mark underground utilities in the work area with temporary markings. You may notice colored paint or flags on or near the street where the borings are planned. These markings are part of the preparation for the upcoming work.
Geotechnical borings are small temporary holes drilled into the ground to learn more about the soil and underground conditions.
The information collected will help engineers complete the design and permits for the future Sugar Plum Water Main Replacement Project. Construction is expected to begin in early 2027 and be completed ahead of Washington County’s paving work planned for summer 2027.
Geotechnical Boring Overview
- Date: September 14 (utility markings begin September 8)
- Time: Between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.
- Location: SW Sugar Plum Lane near SW 176th Avenue
- Map: View a map below with the boring area shown in red
What to Expect
During the geotechnical boring work, no action is needed from you, and your water service won’t be impacted.
IMPORTANT: Drill equipment may block driveways and homeowners should communicate their access needs with the contractor on site.
You can expect:
- Flaggers will be on site for traffic control and access to properties.
- You may see a large drilling rig, support vehicles, and traffic control equipment at the work site.
- The drilling will be loud at times. If needed, please keep windows and doors closed to help reduce noise inside your home.
- You may experience temporary noise, dust, and minor vibrations.
- There may be short-term parking restrictions or areas where trucks and equipment are staged.
- You may experience brief traffic delays near active work areas.
- Crews will work mainly in public streets and utility areas and will not enter private property.
Geotechnical Boring Process
The work will include:
- Marking the locations where soil samples are needed.
- Checking for existing underground utilities before drilling.
- Positioning a drilling rig at each location.
- Drilling narrow holes into the ground.
- Collecting soil samples at different depths to learn about soil conditions.
- Documenting the findings.
- Filling the boring holes and restoring the work areas.
What Happens Next
Before construction begins on the future water main replacement project, TVWD will provide additional updates, including:
- Planned construction dates
- Expected traffic and water service impacts
- Construction work hours
- Tips to help you prepare for temporary water service interruptions, if needed
Why This Work Matters
TVWD actively replaces aging water mains throughout its service area to improve the safety and reliability of the water system. These improvements will help reduce leaks and service interruptions, improve water flow for homes and businesses, and strengthen fire protection in your neighborhood.
Questions?
Contact TVWD Communications:
Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we prepare for these important water system improvements to your neighborhood’s water system.
