Streets & Sanitation

Sanitary and Storm Sewer Maintenance

Many people are choosing alternative bathroom paper products, such as wet wipes, baby wipes, cotton balls, and paper towels. Many of these products have marketing language that states they are flushable. However, these products are not flushable. Products other than toilet paper are not designed to be flushed down the toilet. They do not break down or disintegrate quickly enough and can clog your plumbing, your sewer lateral, and the mainline sewer. All hygiene products other than toilet paper should be thrown in the trash. A sewer back up at this time, with limited cleaning supplies available, can spread other infectious viruses. Please remember "No Wipes Down the Pipes."

Daily Street Maintenance

Street Excavation and Repairs: DPW personnel make repairs to catch basins, manholes, and crosswalks.

Pothole Repair: The Streets Division makes a concentrated effort to fill potholes within two business days. During the summer months, the Division uses hot mix asphalt and cold mix in the winter months.

Asphalting Paving: Streets employees have started working with the Engineering Division to complete the paving on Capital Improvement Projects. Streets employees will also repair the neighborhood streets using the asphalt paving machine.

Street Sweeping

Street sweeping is weather dependent and not performed in inclement weather. During the operational months from April to November, the Department of Public Works sweeps more than 5,000 miles of the curb line. Keep in mind that you may not necessarily see the sweeper on your street because operations start at 5:00 a.m. It takes four to six weeks to complete a full sweep of the entire city. City street sweepers also sweep up after car accidents and often assist Public Works construction crews by sweeping up areas prior to asphalt paving.

Snow and Ice Removal

Snow and ice control is one of the most important and visible activities the Division performs. The Division takes a proactive approach through advance planning, crew training, equipment readiness, deicing agents, monitoring weather forecasts, dispatching crews and public notification.

The Department of Public Works has started to use brine to treat the roadways. The direct application of brine, also known as anti-icing, can be applied to road surfaces up to three days prior to a snow event. Anti-icing is often the most cost-effective and environmentally safe practice in certain winter road maintenance situations.