The City of Hutto joins organizations from around the country in recognizing National Public Works Week, celebrated this year from Sunday, May 21 through Saturday, May 27. The hard-working individuals within the City’s Public Works Department are divided into six main divisions – Construction Inspection, Facility Maintenance, Fleet Management, Regulatory Compliance, Streets & Drainage, and Water & Wastewater Utilities.
In spirit of National Public Works Week’s theme of “Connecting the World,” the City of Hutto would like to share simple tips and tricks that each and every member of our community can do to help lessen the strain on local infrastructure, keep our waterways clean, and ensure smooth utility service.
Save the Drain for Rain
The City’s stormwater sewer system transports stormwater and urban runoff that flows down driveways and streets directly to our creeks, lakes and rivers. Anything that enters a stormwater sewer system is discharged, untreated, into the water that we use for swimming, fishing, boating and other recreational activities.
Illicit discharge, or the dumping of anything other than the water that falls from the sky, is illegal. Some illicit discharges clog the storm sewer system which can create flooding or even cause damage to stormwater structures. Homeowners and business operators can help prevent the buildup of illicit discharge by following these easy steps:
- Never sweep or blow leaves and other yard clippings into storm drains
- Always dispose of used motor oil at approved disposal sites
- Follow directions on pesticides and fertilizers and avoid use when rain is in the forecast
- Take leftover paint, cleaners and other household chemicals to an approved disposal site
- Pick up pet waste and dispose of it properly to keep bacteria and parasites out of our creeks
Visit our Stormwater Pollution Prevention webpage to learn more about how you can help prevent stormwater pollution.
Clean Pipes are Green Pipes
Keeping a mindful eye on anything and everything that enters the drains in your home or business is one of the easiest ways to prevent property damage, plumbing problems and health issues. Wastewater treatment technologies and processes are designed to only break down bodily waste and toilet paper. Even wipes labeled as “flushable” are too thick and do not disintegrate easily in wastewater systems. Because these types of wipes are designed to absorb moisture and stay intact when wet, they can take up to eight days to dissolve, while regular toilet paper dissolves in just minutes. Flushed wipes accumulate and can block pipes and pumps, a destructive and labor-intensive problem Hutto Public Works teams have had to tackle more and more in recent years.
Kitchen grease is another common threat when it comes to pipe blockage. While grease might enter a pipe as a liquid, it converts into a wax-like substance over time, easily clogging drains and pipes. Leftover grease should be disposed of in a standard trash receptacle. Paint, cleaners and fertilizers should never be poured down the drain. Pipes clogged by these common household items can easily overflow, causing a nasty and costly mess that is often times not covered by standard homeowner’s insurance.
Monitor Your Water
Water leaks, both visible and invisible, are costly and wasteful. One quick and easy way to monitor for a water leak in your home or business is to check your water meter. First, ensure no water is running inside or outside, especially by toilets. Locate then open your water meter box, and watch the meter for several minutes to see if there’s movement. If the numbers are changing, water is flowing. Some water meters even alert you if water is flowing for over 24 hours.
While rare, another issue homeowners and business operators might face is discoloration of their water. In most, if not all, cases, water that is slightly discolored is still safe. Black particles visible in the water supply could indicate degraded rubber gaskets, o-rings or meter washers. Should this happen to you, first check the faucet head and o-rings to see if disintegration is occurring. Brown water could possibly be caused by hydrant flushing or manganese in the water supply. Cloudy or milky water is sometimes the result of air bubbles in the pipes often caused by a change in temperature. Finally, yellow water may indicate manganese of resin from a water softener entering the supply. While most water discoloration is not dangerous, if you’ve taken these recommended steps and still have concerns, feel free to contact Hutto Public Works.
Say No to Illegal Dumping
Illegal dumping is a form of illicit discharge and often occurs when the offender is trying to cut corners or avoid paying disposal and transportation fees. It raises significant concerns regarding public health and safety, property values, and quality of life.
In addition to the health risks and fire dangers, illegal dumping can make it easier for flooding to occur when waste blocks ravines, creeks, culverts and drainage basins. Chemicals may runoff, contaminating drinking water wells and surface water used as a drinking source and also impacting aquatic life in surface water.
In Hutto, illegal dumping is a Class C misdemeanor enforced by Code Enforcement and the Police Department. Last year alone, Hutto Public Works staff had to divert their attention from other projects to clean up over 3,000 pounds of illegally-dumped materials, including nearly 100 tires, over 100 gallons of oil, couches, furniture, and even a jet ski. Play a part by properly disposing of your own trash and litter, and report illegal dumping anonymously though the Hutto Police Department or Citizen Request Tracker.
