National Public Works Week is celebrated each May to shine the spotlight on the essential and often unseen work of Public Works departments. In recognition of Roselle's dedicated Public Works department, we want to introduce you to the work they do every day to take care of our community.
Every time you take a shower, flush a toilet, or wash your dishes, water leaves your house as wastewater and ends up at one of Roselle’s two wastewater treatment facilities to be cleaned and returned to local streams. The Wastewater Division of Public Works is responsible for operating these treatment facilities, but also for maintaining the wastewater collection system: 10 lift stations across town and over 90 miles of sanitary sewers. Wastewater treatment and collection is something we often don’t think about, but it’s critical to public health!
Turn on a tap in your home and water from Lake Michigan flows out, thanks to the Water Division of Public Works! Our Water Division is responsible for providing a safe and reliable water supply to our community by maintaining pump stations, storage tanks, fire hydrants, and emergency interconnections with neighboring communities. That means fixing things like water main breaks in chilly winter weather!
Our Streets Division also braves winter weather as they manage ice control and snow removal to keep our community's roads safe and clear the way for emergency responders. All year round, the Streets Division maintains our community's streets, sidewalks, and streetlights.
Public Works manages several infrastructure projects throughout the community; the Engineering Division makes sure those projects happen by developing and reviewing project plans. The Engineering Division administers annual programs like the Street Improvement Program, handles construction inspection and utility location to make sure projects go smoothly, and oversee stormwater management. Stormwater management includes things like street sweeping, storm sewer cleaning, preventing stormwater pollution, and reducing flooding through programs like the Yard Flooding Assistance program.
Between maintaining our community's infrastructure, preparing and cleaning up for special events, mitigating pests and diseases that damage our community's trees, responding to emergencies like the 2022 tornado that touched down in Roselle, and maintaining the entire Village fleet of Police, Fire, and construction vehicles, our Public Works department does a lot for Roselle! Thank you to our dedicated staff!
Roselle residents can reach out to Public Works any time with questions or concerns. You can submit a Public Works request on our website or reach out directly at 630-980-2020.
