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CENTERVILLE BULLETIN [ , / PAGE 2 PUBLIC WORKS �'v DON'T FLUSH YOUR D E PART M E N T DISPOSABLE WIPES GEARING UP FOR SNOW Disposable wipes—used for changing diapers, per- The City of Centerville maintains more than 26 miles of local sonal hygiene, house- streets and 36 cul de sacs and over 4 miles of trails. It takes the cleaning, and more— city crew about 8 hours to cover all the roads in the City during an cause major problems when flushed down toilets. Because average snow event. City policy is to plow all 3 inch snow events. they don't break down the way toilet paper does, these wipes clog homeowner and municipal sewer pipes, put stress on Starting times will vary depending on storm size, expected community wastewater collection and treatment equipment, amounts and time the storm is expected to pass. Our first priority and cause cities to spend thousands on premature equipment is to clear the streets then cul de sacs and then trails and parking repair and replacement. Wipes snag on any imperfection in lots. sewer pipes, catch passing debris and grease, and create a During extreme winters, crews are required to "wing back" snow `ball"that will grow to plug the pipe. They also get drawn into banks to create additional room for snow storage. When crews sewer-line and wastewater treatment plant pumps and clog perform this work, they use their side wing plows to push the and damage them. Municipalities must manually clear out snowbanks further into the boulevards. They adjust the plows to pumps or remove clogs. ride about 6"over the top of the curb and grass. This is one of the Although many brands of disposable wipes are labeled reasons that we have an ordinance prohibiting landscaping and "flushable," don't flush them! The clogs and backups they sprinkler systems from being installed in the public right of way. cause may result in expensive plumbing bills for your home, or The public right of way typically includes about 10 to 15 feet of increased wastewater fees from your city. grass area behind the curb. If snow banks are not"winged back", they get too high and the snow coming off the plow ends up back The MPCA regulates many aspects of wastewater collection on the roadway. and treatment in Minnesota. Dealing with wipes-related prob- lems has absorbed more and more city resources as wipes use Here are some helpful reminder s to our residents: increases, and clogs and equipment problems proliferate. The 1. There are parking restrictions, no parking on City streets be- resources wastewater facilities expend on wipes could be tween 3:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. Centennial Lakes Police may better spent on systems to improve water quality. Put your ticket cars parked on the streets during those hours. wipes in the trash—it matters more than you realize! 2. It is against City ordinance to place snow into the City's right of way or push snow across streets. This is also a state The above article is from the MPCA law and a ticketable offense. 3. Garbage cans and recycling containers are to be placed at the "FLUSHIABLE WIPES" have cost your city six (6) service calls at end of your driveway. (NOT IN THE STREET). $250-$350/ea, removal of damaged pump at$500, purchase of 4. Plow drivers are not allowed to plow private driveways. a new pump at$3,600+over the last six(6)months. 5. Please remove all basketball and hockey nets out of the street and back into your yard prior to the plow season. Please, please do not flush these non-biodegradable items. 6. It is the responsibility of the homeowner to keep clear the Please remember that if costs continue to rise, the city will sidewalk in front or alongside your residence. 7. Mailboxes. If a mailbox is actually struck by a plow,the city have no alternative but to increase your sewer rates to cover crew will make a temporary repair for the winter and then the increases in maintenance to the city's infrastructure. repair or replace in the spring. More commonly, mailbox damage occurs from the force of the snow moving off the The below photo is a display in city hall of these items. end of the plow,or shifting snow banks. When this happens the damage is not repaired by the City. NOTE: It is important I' for homeowners to shovel around their mailbox. When mail- boxes get encased in the snowbanks they often break off as plows move past and the snow bank shifts. 8. On occasion,lawn damage may occur within the road right of "1 { way. If you contact the City in the spring,we will repair the I: area with black dirt and seed. This on occasion happens and "> �t is not intentional. t The Centerville Public Works Department wishes you an enjoyable q ' winter and appreciates your help keeping your streets open and passable. 4