Title
Street Sweeping Program Update
Recommended Action
Briefing only. No action required
Report
Issue:
Street sweeper program status update
Staff Contact:
Sue Barclift, Senior Stormwater Program Specialist, Public Works Water Resources
Presenter:
Sue Barclift
Background and Analysis:
Enhanced street sweeping is a water pollution prevention best management practice (BMP). A water quality focused sweeping program removes pollutants from streets before they mix with stormwater and enter the City’s storm drains and waterways.
In 2021, the Department of Ecology awarded the City’s Storm and Surface Water Utility (Utility) a $1,461,410 Water Quality Financial Assistance Grant to implement an enhanced street sweeping program and purchase a second street sweeper. The grant requires 25 percent matching funds, which the Utility accepted as a low interest loan, and requires the program to continue for three years after the grant term is completed.
The new grant-funded, second sweeper began operating in December 2023. The new sweeper concentrates on streets that have the most water quality improvement potential. The Utility’s other sweeper responds to emergencies, spills, litter, leaves, and resident requests, and is assigned routes to assure all streets are swept on schedule.
During the briefing, Utility staff will update the UAC on implementation of the Enhanced Street Sweeping Program, focusing on planned community outreach and upcoming new stormwater permit requirements.
Climate Analysis:
Street sweeping protects aquatic ecosystems and improves air quality by removing pollution particles from roadways. While the operation of a second street sweeper will increase the City’s greenhouse gas emissions, street sweeper routes are plotted to be as efficient as possible, thereby limiting time spent in traffic and less street overlap redundancy.
Equity Analysis:
The Enhanced Street Sweeping Program benefits all groups by providing regularly scheduled sweep routes for all paved public streets. The program also allows the City to meet and exceed National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit requirements benefiting all Storm and Surface Water Utility rate payers.
Neighborhood/Community Interests:
Community members benefit through NPDES compliance that safeguards recreational water uses and protects aquatic habitat and drinking water by minimizing contaminants that enter surface waters.
Options:
Information only.
Financial Impact:
After the conclusion of the five-year grant period, the Utility must fully fund the operation of the Enhanced Street Sweeping Program for a minimum of three years and begin paying off the loan. The projected annual cost of the program after the grant period is $500,000. Repayment on the $365,353 loan at 0.6 percent will be an additional cost over the next five years.
Attachments:
None