There are eight separate divisions included in the department. Water and sewer are both rate-based services, and roads, snow and ice control, vehicle maintenance, building maintenance, solid waste and recycling are all municipal tax based services.
Keeping You Moving
Whether a person needs to get to work or seeks medical care, they can’t get there easily without smooth, ice and snow-free roads to travel.
“For ice control, we apply salt brine before storms as a preventative. We also use the brine to supplement the regular granular salt during storms. We’re known for our use of the brine,” said Daniel Losik, director of the Department of Public Works.
Keeping the roads clear is important but so is maintenance. Potholes are dangerous, and in East Brunswick they are repaired quickly. The type of asphalt mix used in making repairs is important.
“In terms of roads, we do quality repairs. We have the ability to make a hot mix year ‘round and don’t use cold mix,” Losik said.
Drink and Bathe Safely
Water quality and safety has become a concern in recent years for many people. Residents of East Brunswick have nothing to worry about when it comes to their water.
“We are responsible for distribution and maintenance of water, and sewer collections. Water testing is performed according to New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection requirements. We perform extensive water quality testing,” Losik said.
There’s an App for That
East Brunswick residents enjoy the convenience of curbside pickup of solid waste and recyclables, but the Department of Public Works goes two steps farther by offering a helpful app and a recycling center that is designated a convenience center.
The app, called MyWaste, is available for free on both Android and IOS platforms and allows residents to do things like set
reminders for waste collection, or to query how to dispose of specific materials.
“We can also use it to push out notifications, so that if something happens, like a storm and there will be late pick up, we can let people know,” Losik said.
Residents can drop off most things at the recycling center, with the exception of construction debris. Another unique service is the compost facility. The leaves and brush collected by the department is processed and turned into compost, which is available to local gardeners for free in the spring.
By Dava StewartSolutions to stormwater Pollution
Easy Things You Can Do Every Day to Protect Our Water
A Guide to Healthy Habits for Cleaner Water
Pollution on streets, parking lots and lawns is washed by rain into storm drains, then directly to our drinking water supplies and the ocean and lakes our children play in. Fertilizer, oil, pesticides, detergents, pet waste, grass clippings: You name it and it ends up in our water.
Stormwater pollution is one of New Jersey’s greatest threats to clean and plentiful water, and that’s why we’re all doing something about it.
By sharing the responsibility and making small, easy changes in our daily lives, we can keep common pollutants out of stormwater. It all adds up to cleaner water, and it saves the high cost of cleaning up once it’s dirty.
As part of New Jersey’s initiative to keep our water clean and plentiful and to meet federal requirements, many municipalities and other public agencies including colleges and military bases
must adopt ordinances or other rules prohibiting various activities that contribute to stormwater pollution. Breaking these rules can result in fines or other penalties.
As a resident, business, or other member of the New Jersey community, it is important to know these easy things you can do every day to protect our water.
Limit Your Use of Fertilizers and Pesticides
- Do a soil test to see if you need a fertilizer.
- Do not apply fertilizers if heavy rain is predicted.
- Look into alternatives for pesticides.
- Maintain a small lawn and keep the rest of your property or yard in a natural state with trees and other native vegetation that requires little or no fertilizer.
- If you use fertilizers and pesticides, follow the instructions on the label on how to correctly apply it.
- Properly Use and Dispose of Hazardous Products
- Hazardous products include some household or commercial cleaning products, lawn and garden care products, motor oil, antifreeze, and paints.
- Do not pour any hazardous products down a storm drain because storm drains are usually connected to local waterbodies and the water is not treated.
- If you have hazardous products in your home or workplace, make sure you store or dispose of them properly. Read the label for guidance.
- Use natural or less toxic alternatives when possible.
- Recycle used motor oil.
- Contact your municipality, county or facility management office for the locations of hazardous-waste disposal facilities.
Keep Pollution Out Of Storm Drains
- Municipalities and many other public agencies are required to mark certain storm drain inlets with messages reminding people that storm drains are connected to local waterbodies.
- Do not let sewage or other wastes flow into a stormwater system.
Clean Up After Your Pet
- Many municipalities and publicagencies must enact and enforce local pet-waste rules.
- An example is requiring pet owners or their keepers to pick up and properly dispose of pet waste dropped on public or other people’s property.
Make sure you know your town’s or agency’s requirements and comply with them. It’s the law. And remember to:
- Use newspaper, bags or pooper-scoopers to pick up wastes.
- Dispose of the wrapped pet waste in the trash or un- wrapped in a toilet.
- Never discard pet waste in a storm drain.
Don’t Feed Wildlife
- Do not feed wildlife, such as ducks and geese, in public areas.
- Many municipalities and other public agencies must enact and enforce a rule that prohibits wildlife feeding in these areas.
Don’t Litter
- Place litter in trash receptacles.
- Recycle. Recycle. Recycle.
- Participate in community cleanups.
Dispose of Yard Waste Properly
- Keep leaves and grass out of storm drains.
- If your municipality or agency has yard waste collectionrules, follow them.
- Use leaves and grass clippings as a resource for compost.
- Use a mulching mower that recycles grass clippings into the lawn.
