Street sweeping makes a community look clean and tidy. It also keeps some dirt, debris and other contaminants from washing into storm drains, thereby reducing the harmful effects of polluted storm runoff on fish and other aquatic life.

 

Clark County Public Works sweeps residential streets during fall, winter and spring months. During the summer, street sweepers are used primarily for summer road preservation and other construction projects.

Residential streets are swept 3-4 times a year, typically during the daytime. Arterials are swept about once a month, typically during  the late afternoon or evening.

The county coordinates its sweeping schedule with garbage-recycling pickup to avoid conflicts.

Clean streets, clean streams

In June 2018, new messaging was added to Public Works' street sweepers to highlight the connection between street sweeping and clean water.

When it rains, runoff picks up dirt and other debris and carries it to storm drains and eventually on to streams and rivers.

Sweeping county streets helps keep pollutants out of storm drains, thereby reducing water pollution.

Street sweepers now remind residents to "Protect Water - Only Rain in Drain."

Be sure to watch this 39-second video that uses time-lapse photography to show how clean water messages were applied to county street sweepers.

[video:https://youtu.be/1sATJ-xnOpk]

For more information on how you can reduce water pollution, visit the county's "What You Can Do For Clean Water" webpage.

Upcoming street sweeping

 

Clark County provides an online interactive map so residents can get a general idea for when their streets are scheduled for sweeping.

This information will allow them to mov​e parked vehicles, basketball hoops and other items that can prevent sweepers from covering the entire street and picking up as much debris as possible.

CLICK HERE for street sweeping map This map will return once we have are tracking applications fixed.

Residents can type their address in the "Search by Address" field to see a recent sweeping history for their street, as well as when their street will be swept next.

The map provides a spectrum of colors for upcoming sweeping, from red signifying "One to five business days" to blue indicating "More than four weeks." A complete color key can be accessed by clicking on "Legend" in the map's upper right corner.

Residents should remember that this map provides a general estimate for when streets may be swept, not a firm timetable for when they will be swept. A number of factors, from bad weather to mechanical breakdowns, can and will affect when streets are swept.

Clark County Public Works appreciates your cooperation and understanding.

Vegetation trimming

For maximum coverage during street sweeping, residents should trim low-hanging branches and other vegetation so sweepers can get as close to the curb as possible.

All low-hanging material needs to be trimmed to provide 14 feet of vertical clearance from the top of the curb.

Another 8 feet of clearance should be provided for the full width of the sidewalk.

Leaf disposal

Residents should not blow, rake, sweep or dump leaves or other yard debris onto the street with the expectation that the material will be swept up.

Leaves can clog storm drains, creating flooding problems and traffic hazards.

Intentionally blowing, raking or sweeping leaves onto county roads is littering and violates county code.

Clark County Code, 9.28, Littering

Residents can put their leaves into yard debris carts for curbside pickup.

Clark County also operates a leaf coupon program with the city of Vancouver that provides free disposal at several drop-off locations, from Oct. 1 through Dec. 31.