Why is Street Sweeping necessary?
In an urban area like the City of Albany, street sweeping allows for the collection and removal of litter, leaves, and other visible debris that gather in the gutters. This debris can block storm drain facilities, causing localized flooding during heavy rains. An equally important, but less visible benefit of street sweeping is the removal of metal particles and other hazardous waste products left by passing vehicles. Although they are virtually invisible, these particles can be extremely harmful to fish and other wildlife if they reach our creeks, and the San Francisco Bay. The City of Albany also maintains a street sweeping program to comply with provisions of the federally mandated Clean Water Act. Street sweeping serves as a key part of the City’s commitment to protect and restore local creeks and to help protect downstream water quality in the San Francisco Bay.
