Warm Weather Thaw Coming, Is Your Sewer Clear?

Department of Public Works Prepares for Warming Forecast Due to the recent forecasts of warming temperatures for this weekend, the Department of Public Works crews are engaged in snow and ice removal from around storm inlets and catch basins in lower level areas. These are areas where potential flooding may be a problem throughout the City of Milwaukee. Crews equipped with ice chippers, and shovels will uncover storm grates so surface water can run off. Sewer cleaning equipment will be dispatched to maintain underpasses as well. Staff will clean the catch basins and drains located in the underpasses. There are 13 – Two personnel crews, 4 Investigator Crews, and 14 other crews with pieces of equipment (3 Backhoes, 7 Vac Cons, 4 Sewer Jets assisting in opening catch basins) scheduled for Friday, February 11th. This removal effort should lessen the amount of roadway surface ponding and complaints. Residents are also encouraged to remove any obstructions that may be covering their catch basins to eliminate any potential surface ponding. Residents and motorists should report any surface ponding to 286-CITY. For this weekend, staff has been put on alert for possible flood control if needed.