The mission of the City’s Department of Public Infrastructure is to clean city streets to provide safe conditions for all modes of transportation and to help keep our lakes and rivers clean.  Many of the storm sewers lead directly to Lake Michigan, the Manitowoc River, Little Manitowoc River, and Silver Creek.  It is important to remember that anything that is put into the street is ultimately going to end up in the lake or river.  In an effort to reduce the amount of material that enters the storm sewers and our waterways, to keep streets clean, and to cost effectively meet the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resource’s Municipal Storm Water Permit requirements, the City has a street sweeping program and parking ban in place.   

The Street Sweeping Parking Ban will begin this year on Monday, April 3, 2023.  Warning tickets are being issued March 27, 2023 through March 31, 2023.  To avoid being ticketed, check the City website, www.manitowoc.org, under Municipal Code 10.430 or manitowoc.org/street-sweeping for the Street Sweeping district map.  Only park on the street after the posted time on the street sweeping sign.  Even though the sweeper may have gone by once, it may need to go by for a second pass.  If possible, please avoid parking on streets in the area being swept during the morning hours.  Crews can do a better job when cars aren’t blocking their access to the curb.

It is important to remember that sweeping grass clippings into the street is not only bad for our local lakes, creeks and rivers; it is also a violation of city ordinance.  Grass along with other organic materials that are washed into the storm drain system, end up in our local water bodies. These materials decompose and release phosphorous into the water. Algae use this nutrient to grow, which in turn could turn your local waterways green. 

Please help to keep our lakes, rivers and drinking water sources clean.  For more information please contact the Department of Public Infrastructure – Streets and Sanitation at 686-6550.

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