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Street Sweep Project
Questions and Answers
I understand the Street Sweep pilot project ended June 31, 2007, when will we learn about the study’s results?
Street Sweep engineers are currently assessing the data we collected from the Southeast and West Seattle and Duwamish Industrial Area neighborhoods. Sometime this fall, a summary report will be sent to participating neighbors and posted on this website.
What are the benefits of street sweeping?
Every day, pollution from cars, lawns and businesses flows from neighborhood streets into our waterways. Recent research indicates that street sweeping twice a month can remove pollution before it reaches these waters. In addition, it decreases the amount of money that the City spends to maintain and clean water drainage facilities, and helps eliminate street flooding.
How is this street sweeping different from other street sweeping I see around the City?
Typically, Street Sweep trucks work around parked cars and use water and brooms to remove pollution from the road. This new Street Sweep approach uses a state-of-the-art truck that wet-vacuums the pollution and accesses the curbside where most pollution exists.
How long will the Street Sweep pilot project last?
One year, with an estimated completion date of June 2007. Seattle Public Utilities needs an entire year to collect data, because the majority of pollution flows into our waterways during the first-flush storms of late summer and early fall, as well as the rainy season of November through March. By cleaning the roadways before the rain, and then keeping them clean during the wet season, we believe we can reduce the amount of pollution that reaches our valuable waterways. A calendar year gives the City an entire rain cycle to collect the valuable data necessary to make a recommendation to the City Council.
Do I have to move my car?
Yes. If you live, and street-park in the shaded areas listed on the map (see locations listed on this site) we need your help in moving your car every other Tuesday to make room for the street sweepers.
To help you remember Street Sweep dates, Seattle Public Utilities will install temporary “no parking signs” with corresponding dates.
When do I need to move my car?
This one-year Street Sweep pilot project in Southeast Seattle (Columbia City, Lakewood\Seward Park & Genessee Neighborhoods), West Seattle, and Duwamish Industrial Area neighborhoods began June 2006. See the Street Sweep locations listed on this site for specific days in which you will be asked to park on only one side of the street. On Tuesdays, City Street Sweep trucks will operate between in the neighborhoods of West and Southeast Seattle between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. with the exception of California Avenue business district where sweep times are 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Sweeping occurs on Fridays between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. in the Duwamish industrial area.
What happens if I forget to move my car?
The City values your partnership in this project. The success of this Project requires streets to be free of parked vehicles so that street sweepers can sweep at the curbside to remove pollution. In order to assure effective removal of street-based pollution, beginning Tuesday, February 6th, the Seattle Police Department will ticket vehicles that remain on the swept side of the street during scheduled sweep days (Southeast Seattle Schedule (pdf), West Seattle Schedule (pdf)). This parking enforcement change is in compliance with standard citywide procedures for No Parking zones.
Can I receive Street Sweep schedule reminders?
Yes. Sign up to receive an e-mail reminder prior to your street’s scheduled sweep by completing the Email Reminder form.
To whom can I direct a question?
We will keep you updated on the project’s progress.
This information can be made available on request to accommodate people with disabilities and those who need language translation assistance. Call Seattle Public Utilities at (206) 684-3000. TDD telephone number is (206) 233-7241.
Para mayor información llame al teléfono 206-684-3000.
Can the trucks sweep around our cars?
Yes, but the majority of pollution is located within a few feet of the curb where cars are typically parked. When left at the curbside pollution flows into the drainage basins and, eventually, our waterways.
Which neighborhoods are participating in the Street Sweep water quality improvement project?
Why aren't you sweeping the paved alley ways in West Seattle?
We are not planning to sweep paved alleys because they do not have curbs, which is required for sweeping efficiency.
Why do you have a control basin and a sweep basin?
The sweep basin is a designated area that closely resembles the control basin. Over the course of the year, pollutants and sediment accumulating in catch basins and remaining on the street will be analyzed and measured. This data provides comparison to the control basin and helps us determine whether street sweeping is a good addition to our water quality toolbox.
To make this program work, neighbors in this area will be asked to keep their side of the street free from parked cars, two days per month. (The Street Sweep schedule can be found by clicking on Schedule & Map.)
The control basin is a designated area that closely resembles the sweep basin. This area will not be swept. Over the course of the year, various pollutants and sediment that accumulate in catch basins will be analyzed.. This data provides a comparison to the sweep basin and will help us determine whether street sweeping is a good addition to its water quality toolbox.
Will you analyze water before it runs into the drainage basin?
Seattle Public Utilities' water quality sampling and monitoring plan for the Street Sweep pilot project focuses on analyzing pollutants in sediment collected from three sources: the pavement, street sweepers, and drainage basins. This cross-section of data will allow Seattle Public Utilities to determine the impact of frequent street sweeping on water quality.
Why did Seattle Public Utilities select West Seattle, Southeast Seattle (Columbia City, Lakewood\Seward Park & Genessee), and the Duwamish Industrial Area for the Street Sweep Pilot Project?
When searching for neighborhoods to participate in the Street Sweep pilot, the following criteria were considered:
1. Geographic location. Our goal was to represent different geographic locations within the city.
2. Separate storm water and sewer systems. Since the goal is to measure accumulating sediment it was important to find neighborhoods where the storm water runoff remains separate from the sewer system.
3. Neighborhoods that support paired basins. In order to establish a control area and a sweep area, we needed neighborhoods that supported paired areas similar in land use and drainage conditions.
4. The existence of curbs and gutters.
Your neighborhood fulfills these criteria, making it an ideal location for the pilot program.
Are the Street Sweep No Parking Signs permanent?
No. The signs are temporary and will be in place for the duration of the pilot project. The Street Sweep Pilot Project is currently scheduled to run for one year.
The signs in West and Southeast Seattle say No Parking 8 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., does that mean that my neighbors and I will not be allowed to park on the streets any longer?
No. The only times we are asking you to park on the opposite side of the street from your home is twice a month on Tuesdays. Decals specifying exact dates are posted on the signs and printed schedules were sent to your homes. To request another printed schedule, please send an e-mail to streetsweep@seattle.gov or phone us at (206) 684-7500.
Why are there “NO PARKING THIS SPACE” signs placed throughout the Duwamish Industrial Area? Engineers need access to the catch basins to measure pollutants and the signs will ensure the basins are never blocked.
Are community meetings scheduled to discuss the Street Sweep Pilot Project? Our initial neighborhood outreach efforts have resulted in primarily positive feedback and therefore, community meetings are not scheduled. If you have a question or concern, you can reach the Street Sweep Team via telephone, (206) 615-1766 or e-mail at streetsweep@seattle.gov.
How many households are participating in the Street Sweep Pilot Project?
Approximately 350.
What is a catch basin?
A reservoir designed to collect sediment from surface drainage or runoff.
What types of pollutants and sediments are being analyzed?
Every day, pollution from cars, lawns and businesses flows from neighborhood streets into our waterways. The Street Sweeping pilot team will be analyzing the composition of street sediment for the following pollutants:
- • Petroleum
- • Hydrocarbons
- • Heavy Metals
- • Nutrients
- • Other trace organic compounds
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