Public Works Department - Street Department Division

While it may not be apparent to the average Wapakoneta resident, the City owns considerable property, generally referred to as infrastructure. This infrastructure includes many miles of roadways along with water and sewer lines. The Public Works Department has the challenging task of maintaining and regularly upgrading this diversified infrastructure worth $ millions.

The community will readily notice the obvious Public Works activities. In winter, the City's fleet of vehicles work long hours to keep roads plowed and safe for traffic. During the hot summer months, a regularly scheduled program of road maintenance and upgrades ensure that traffic can proceed smoothly from one point to another.

The responsibility of the Public Works Department is to maintain the public streets, alleys, and parking lots, public buildings and grounds; snow removal; fall leaf removal; traffic signs; distribution of water; the collection of sewage; the collection of refuse and recycling, including a public awareness program on the need for recycling.

The Public Works Department operates as follows:

Streets & Alleys
This division is responsible for street sign maintenance, repair and minor reconstruction of all streets, city-owned parking lots, and storm sewer structures within the city limits.

Water Distribution
This division is responsible for the maintenance and construction of the city's water distribution system from the Water Treatment Plant to the city's homes and businesses.

Sewer Collection
This division is responsible for the sewer system which transports raw sewage from the homes and businesses to the Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Refuse & Recycling
This division is responsible for the collection of solid waste and recyclable material. Collection is done on a weekly schedule.

There are (18) full-time employees including:

• 1 Superintendent
• 1 Maintenance Worker Crew Leader
• 3 Maintenance II Workers
• 1 Maintenance 1 worker
• 6 Laborer II Workers
• 1 Mechanic
• 2 Refuse Workers
  
  • 1 residential
  • 1 commercial
• 2 Residential recycling workers
• 1 Commercial recycling worker

The year 2002 was another busy year for the Public Works Department and the following are some of the year’s highlights:

STREET DEPARTMENT DIVISION

Water Distribution:

• 75 new residential water taps.
• 3 new commercial water taps.
• 46 water taps replaced or repaired.
• 24 lead lines replaced.
• 12 fire hydrants were replaced or repaired.
• 5 water meter pits or curb boxes replaced or repaired.
• 5 meters repaired.
• 24 water main breaks repaired.
• 5 taps for new mains or tie-ins.
• 10 water valves new replaced or fixed.
• In October, Aqua line conducted a leak detections survey on approximately 30 miles of pipe in the water distribution system with a total of 8 leaks found.

Sewer Collection:

• 8,008 feet of sanitary sewer cleaned.
• 6,214 feet of sanitary sewer televised.
• 10 sewer repairs.
• 850 feet of storm sewer cleaned.
• 383,245 Gals of leachate pumped at landfill.
• 13 catch basins were replaced or repaired.
• 40 feet of sewer pipe installed.
• 2 locations smoke tested.
• 16 catch basins cleaned.
• 8 manhole castings repaired
• 9 sanitary sewers unplugged.

Streets and Alleys:

• 13 catch basins were replaced or repaired.
• 182 loads of leaves were collected.
• 362 fire hydrants painted.
• 218 signs were replaced or repaired.
• All of the downtown area parking spaces were painted this year.
• 750 gallons of R-S-2 were laid by the pot hole machine.
• All alleys were graded and stoned (9.48 miles).
• Attempt was made to sweep all streets once a week, unless otherwise needed.
• 1,450 feet of Thermoplastic installed (crosswalks and stop).
• 65 yard repairs.
• 89 hot mix repairs.
• 14 concrete repairs.
• Street Department fills in for vacation, personal, and sick time used at the Refuse/Recycling Department.

Public Works Department - Refuse And Recycling Division

REFUSE AND RECYCLING DIVISION

Refuse:

• An average of 3,840 residential refuse customers per month.
• 215 total commercial refuse customers per week.
• 57 dumpsters were placed at private residents and special events.
• 3,953 tons - total commercial and residential refuse collected.
• 982 cases of large white and small red bags sold and distributed.
• The Ohio EPA conducted several inspections at the landfill in 2002; extensive work was performed at the landfill.

Public Works Department - Curbside Recycling Truck

Recycling:

• Total number of vehicles 4365
• 207 loads of mulch were sold.
• Total recyclable material collected: curbside, commercial, and Saturday drop-off:
  
  • 55,987 lbs.- aluminum cans
  • 79,883 lbs.- tin cans
  • 108,264 lbs.- plastic
  • 328,205 lbs.- glass (clear, brown, and green)
  • 1,579,930 lbs.- newspaper
  • 758,484 lbs.- cardboard
  • 36,620 lbs.- scrap metal
  • 1,473 tons total of recycling collected in 2002

Meril Simpson, Superintendent
110 E Harrison Street
419-738-3223