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Street Sweeping
Street Sweeping provides many benefits to the City of Shawano residents. The most obvious benefit is the collection and removal of litter, leaves, gravel and other visible debris that collect in our streets. This debris can block storm water infrastructure, causing localized flooding during heavy rains. Another significant, but less visible benefit is the removal of metal particles and other waste products left by passing vehicles. Even though the pollutants are virtually invisible, these particles can be extremely harmful to fish and other wildlife if they reach our creeks, rivers and lakes. Street sweeping is an effective method of removing both the large and microscopic pollutants that collect on our City's streets.
See below for some commonly asked questions.
Why does the City of Shawano sweep the streets?
The purpose of the City of Shawano's sweeping program is to remove debris, sediment and other pollutants from the street surfaces and prevent them from entering our storm water collection system. Not only does sweeping keep pollution our of creeks and streams, but keeps our streets clean.
Does the City sweep parking lots?
Only City owned parking lots are swept by the City of Shawano. All private parking lots, private streets, shopping centers and commercial or business properties are swept by private companies.
Why does it take so long to remove the sand that was put on the road during the winter weather?
The street sweeper uses a water spray to minimize the amount of dust that is generated while sweeping, therefore, during the winter months the sweepers can only be operated when temperatures are above freezing. Sand collected off of the streets fill the sweeper faster than normal, requiring more trips to unload than is usual. After a major winter storm, it can take more than a month to remove sand from the streets.
Why does the sweeper drive so slowly?
Depending on the type and quantity of material being collected, the sweeper must drive between 1 and 5 mph to effectively remove the material.
See below for some commonly asked questions.
Why does the City of Shawano sweep the streets?
The purpose of the City of Shawano's sweeping program is to remove debris, sediment and other pollutants from the street surfaces and prevent them from entering our storm water collection system. Not only does sweeping keep pollution our of creeks and streams, but keeps our streets clean.
Does the City sweep parking lots?
Only City owned parking lots are swept by the City of Shawano. All private parking lots, private streets, shopping centers and commercial or business properties are swept by private companies.
Why does it take so long to remove the sand that was put on the road during the winter weather?
The street sweeper uses a water spray to minimize the amount of dust that is generated while sweeping, therefore, during the winter months the sweepers can only be operated when temperatures are above freezing. Sand collected off of the streets fill the sweeper faster than normal, requiring more trips to unload than is usual. After a major winter storm, it can take more than a month to remove sand from the streets.
Why does the sweeper drive so slowly?
Depending on the type and quantity of material being collected, the sweeper must drive between 1 and 5 mph to effectively remove the material.