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About the Department

Responsibilities

The Sanibel Department of Public Works is comprised of eight divisions:

  • Administration
  • Engineering
  • Streets
  • Garage
  • Public Facilities
  • Beach Parks Maintenance
  • Utility Operations
  • Utility Maintenance

Each of the Public Works eight divisions has distinct and varied general responsibilities such as the following:

  • Assures that the Department operates within the approved budget.
  • Develops and assures compliance with Departmental goals and regulations.
  • Handles all personnel issues.
  • Coordinates emergency management planning for the Department.
  • Prepares and submits payroll.
  • Monitors Department's inventory.
  • Tracks maintenance of all City vehicles, equipment, and facilities.
  • Coordinates interdepartmental activities.
  • Responds to public requests and concerns.
  • Issues reports and studies.

FY 2012 Goals

Current goals of the Sanibel Department of Public Works include the following:

  • Improve the capacity of wastewater treatment plants by continuing an inflow and infiltration correction program to remove extraneous flows from the older reaches of the Sanibel Sewer System.
  • Keep wastewater violations and system overflows resulting from any planned or unplanned circumstances to an absolute minimum.
  • Reduce nitrogen and phosphorus levels in treated wastewater.
  • Continue program to correct up to 10 neighborhood drainage problems annually.

FY 2011 Goals and Status

GOALS:

  • Improve the capacity of wastewater treatment plants by continuing an inflow and infiltration correction program to remove extraneous flows from the older reaches of the Sanibel Sewer System.
    STATUS- Made repairs to 9 manholes and 40 laterals, resulting in the elimination of an estimated 63,000 gallons per day of infiltration/inflow. A contract has been awarded to correct mainline infiltration problems which will result in an estimated 23,000 gallons per day reduction in infiltration/inflow.
  • Keep wastewater violations and system overflows resulting from any planned or unplanned circumstances to an absolute minimum.
    STATUS- Have not yet achieved a 100% effluent compliance from both wastewater treatment facilities, but are still working toward that goal.
  • Reduce nitrogen and phosphorus levels in treated wastewater.
    STATUS- Experiments with various chemicals (alum, odophos, etc.) resulted in some reductions, but plant modifications will be necessary in order to meet goals.
  • Continue program to correct up to 10 neighborhood drainage problems annually.
    STATUS- A wet winter resulted in more complaints than normal. Plans are being developed to correct these issues.

Challenges Facing the Department

Sanibel Department of Public Works' functions are labor intensive, with many positions requiring a high degree of skill. As personnel reach retirement age, it will be difficult to replace them.

There are increased demands upon Public Works through both the expansion of the facilities to be maintained and the demand for increased maintenance levels of roads and shared use paths.

Several aspects of the water quality issue impact the department, including finding environmentally friendly ways to do the following:

  • Dispose of sludge.
  • Treat effluent prior to its use for irrigation.
  • Clean red drift algae from the beaches.
  • Comply with its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit.

Learn more about the Department (pdf 170.86 kB)