A major sewer upgrade project is due to start in Melbourne’s inner north this October.

The 114-year-old Carlton Main sewer, which is declining in health, services more than 15,000 households and businesses across Carlton, Brunswick and southern areas of Coburg.

The project will see the renewal of 1.35 kilometres of the sewer between Pigdon and Princes streets in North Carlton. The old sewer will be relined from the inside to minimise cost and disruption to the community.

Melbourne Water will also construct a new 510-metre sewer under Scotchmer and Pigdon streets between Rae Street in Fitzroy North and Amess Street in Carlton North.

Melbourne Water Project Manager, Jenny Carbery, said the sewer upgrade was an essential part of providing important public health services to the city.

“The Carlton Main sewer is over 100 years old, and this upgrade will ensure we can continue to deliver reliable services to this part of Melbourne,” said Ms Carbery.

“It’s challenging to complete a project of this scale in built up areas, but it’s vital that we renew the aging pipes before they begin to fail.

“We understand that these works may be disruptive to local residents, and we’ve been working closely with key stakeholders during our project planning phase to try to minimise any inconvenience where we can.”

Ms Carbery said construction would start in Scotchmer Street around October 2014 and the project would take over 18 months to complete.

“We’ve been door-knocking affected residents, and we’re holding community information sessions to provide people with the opportunity to meet the project team, view project plans and construction timelines, and learn about potential impacts from these works,” said Ms Carbery.