Palos Heights Public Works Department

Restoration of Water and Sewer Repairs

When making a repair to a water or sewer main because of a break in the pipe it is sometimes necessary to dig up a portion of the resident’s property.  After the repair is completed it is the responsibility of the Palos Heights Water Department to restore the excavated site.

Restoration usually is performed 8 to 12 weeks after the repair is completed.  Time is needed to allow the ground to settle, and fill in the area created by the excavation.

If the repair occurs in the fall or winter the restoration will not be done until the next spring.  When the restoration is completed it is the responsibility of the homeowner to water the restored area until the sod is established.

ROADS AND CONSTRUCTION

CHIPPER SERVICE

Begins the first week of April starting at one end of the city and working its way thru to the other, which typically takes about a week or so. Allied Waste starts picking up yard waste on April 1 on your regularly scheduled garbage day. 

Snow Removal

The Public Works Department plows and salts approximately 55 miles of roads throughout the city.  The city’s snow plow fleet is comprised of 6 dump trucks with plows and salt spreaders and 6 pick-up trucks equipped with plows.  We utilize in the region of 1400-1600 tons of salt during a typical snow season.

When the event of snow begins the Public Works crews initiate the salting of all streets and cul-de-sacs within the city.  If the snow event has snow accumulation of over two inches, the crews will give first priority to the main streets.  After the main streets have been thoroughly plowed, the secondary streets and cul-de-sacs are completed.  They will continue to plow and salt until the snowfall stops, and all of the roads have been plowed and salted. 

The following are suggestions and tips to make the city safer for pedestrians, motorists, and snow plow crews during and following a snowfall.

• There is no Parking on city streets after 2 inches of snowfall. 
• Cars parked in the street make the process of plowing extremely difficult.  If you know a snowfall is anticipated, please move vehicles off the street.
• Please, do not follow a snow plow too closely.  Give the plows plenty of space.
• Do not place garbage cans in the street during a snowfall. 
• Do not push snow from driveways or sidewalks into the street.  The snowplow will only push this back when making the next pass down the street.  Pile the snow on either side of the driveway to prevent your drive way from being blocked on the potential following the passes of the plows.  
• Drive slowly and give yourself more time for stopping and starting of driving.  Even recently plowed streets can be difficult to negotiate.