Street Sweeping – More Than Aesthetics
Street sweeping serves a much greater purpose than simply removing large debris for an aesthetically pleasant appearance. It is a proven measure in reducing pollutants within commercial and residential areas.
Street sweeping frequency is directly related to the amount of traffic generated by the surrounding area. This means that busy town centers and main roads should be swept more frequently than a quiet residential area. Also, different markets require street sweeping at different times – on a regular schedule, but also for special occasions and at certain times of the year.
Street Sweeping Frequency for Homeowners Associations
For Homeowners Associations: Once a quarter. After the winter season when the snow melts away, sweeping helps to remove debris piled up from snow plows. Such debris can block storm water basins, causing local flooding during heavy rains.
During the spring season, sweeping helps remove sand and salt, especially at the bottom of the hills.
In summer, sweeping helps to remove dust, improving the clean appearance of the area. Sweeping the dirt from paved streets helps ensure an environmentally healthy and safe community.
Finally, for the fall season, sweeping removes leaves and other vegetation that collects in the streets and storm drains.
Street Sweeping Frequency for Municipalities
For Municipalities: Street sweeping should be done monthly. It is a responsible practice for municipalities to mitigate accumulation of dirt, litter, and vegetation from paths and streets.
The main objective is to maintain “curb appeal” for the community, and that is why sweeping needs to be done on a regular basis. Street sweeping is also one of the most visible signs that tax dollars are at work.
Street Sweeping for Shopping Centers
For Shopping Centers: To maintain the clean look of a commercial property, oil, grease, and debris needs to be cleaned regularly. Although this type of debris is not always obvious, they should not accumulate until they are noticeable.
Parking lots at shopping centers must always look spotless and intact to cast a good impression on the visitors. We recommend daily sweeping for commercial centers.
Street Sweeping for Construction Sites
For Construction Sites: Sweeping is required at construction sites where trucks and other heavy vehicles carry huge amounts of dust, debris, and other potential pollutants. Frequent sweeping of such areas can alleviate the major source of dust.
Fugitive dust from backfilling and excavation operations for the treatment plants must be kept to a minimum. Soil erosion must be managed because wash off from piled materials can be a source of pollutants for the construction period. Street sweeping is considered a proven best management practice for NPDES permit compliance.
This is why municipalities require proper management of soil erosion.