The City of Hood River is embarking on an effort to refine and prioritize a construction plan to repair or replace clay sewer pipes and lead-jointed water lines.  The City Council this evening will receive a proposal to contract with a firm to conduct an infiltration and inflow study within the clay pipe locations of the City’s sewer system.  City Manager Rachael Fuller explains the clay pipes are past their useful life, and can cause problems when it rains or in the spring when there is a large amount of groundwater.  That can lead to overflows at the municipal wastewater treatment plant.  A project manager and administrative support has been hired for the project, and Fuller says there are grant opportunities to help pay for the replacement.