Shakopee Snapshot: Summer 2025

PUBLIC WORKS

‘Flushable’ wipes and other things that aren’t actually flushable Avoid messy, expensive clogs with proper disposal

water, wipes are made of synthetic fibers that resist breaking down. As they accumulate, they can combine with other debris, leading to costly and troublesome clogs in both home plumbing and municipal sewer systems. The same goes for other commonly flushed items, like menstrual products. Most menstrual product labels specify that these items can not be flushed, yet they commonly are and can create blockages and expensive repairs. To prevent these issues, it’s best to dispose of these products respon sibly. Grease should be allowed to cool and be disposed of in the trash or, in some cases, recycled. For wipes, even those labeled as “flushable,” the safest option is to throw them in the trash rather than risk clogging your pipes or damaging the sewer system. By following these simple steps, you can avoid costly plumbing repairs and also be a helpful community member by protecting the public sewer system. Always think twice before flushing something down the drain!

Many homeowners may not realize the damage they can cause when they flush grease and “flushable” wipes down the sewer drain. While it may seem convenient to dispose of these items this way, it can lead to serious plumbing and environmental issues. When cooking, it’s common to pour leftover grease down the sink or toilet. However, grease hardens as it cools and builds up inside the pipes, poten tially creating clogs. Over time, these clogs can block the flow of water, leading to slow drainage, overflowing drains, or even sewer backups. Grease is also difficult to break down in sewage systems, putting additional strain on lift stations and wastewater treatment plants. When it comes to products labeled on the packaging as “flushable” like various types of wet wipes, it’s important to remember these are marketing tactics designed to get consumers to buy the product. Wipes aren’t actually safe to flush, but consumers are enticed by the claims on the packaging, and who could blame them? Despite what the label may claim, these wipes can still get stuck in pipes and create blockages. Unlike toilet paper, which dissolves in Meet the street sweepers The Shakopee Public Works Department operates two types of street sweepers to keep our roadways clean and well-maintained. The aver age person likely hasn’t given street sweepers a second thought, but they are actually pretty nifty machines that do more than they get credit for. Public Works crews use both a mechanical sweeper and a regenera tive air sweeper. The mechanical sweeper uses rotating brooms and a conveyor system to collect debris. This type is highly effective at removing larger materials such as bottles, cans, chip seal, and asphalt millings during road repair. The regenerative air sweeper uses a powerful air system to lift and capture fine particles like sand and silt. This type is especially useful for detailed cleaning, including preparing cracks for road repairs. Street sweeping plays a vital role in maintaining our community for many reasons: IMPROVING APPEARANCE Regular sweeping enhances the look of public spaces, especially in business districts, by removing litter and debris. A cleaner environ ment creates a more inviting atmosphere for residents and visitors. ENHANCING AIR QUALITY By collecting fine dust and debris before traffic can stir them into the air, street sweeping helps improve air quality, reducing airborne par ticles that contribute to pollution. SUPPORTING ROAD MAINTENANCE Sweeping is an essential step in many road repair processes. It is required before and after seal coating and crack sealing and during mill and over lay projects to ensure proper adhesion and a clean work surface.

INCREASING SAFETY Removing sand, gravel, and fine sediment from roadways helps make streets safer for everyone, particularly motorcyclists and bicyclists,

who are at higher risk from loose debris. PROTECTING WATER QUALITY

Street sweeping prevents silt, sediments, and other organic materials from entering storm drains and waterways. By reducing these pollut ants, we help maintain cleaner water, improving clarity and reducing algae blooms in local lakes and rivers.

This regenerative air sweeper lifts and captures fine particles from the roadway.

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