From
the flow of water to the flow of traffic, the City of Ames Public
Works Department is responsible for managing the many important
infrastructure systems in the community.
The Public Works Department develops projects that will best serve the needs of the community, designs and implements these projects, and maintains facilities once they are complete. The Public Works Department maintains the City's water mains, sewers, streets, and cemeteries, along with operating the Resource Recovery System. The Ames Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (AAMPO) is also led and managed by the Public Works Department.
Ames Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (AAMPO):
General information:Four divisions within the Public Works Department work together to build and maintain the City, and are listed, below.
Public Works Administration is responsible for the overall coordination and support of all public works operational activities and capital projects.
The Operations Division maintains the city’s water distribution system, sanitary and storm sewer systems, policy for protection of public right of way of trees, storm damage tree clean-up policy, streets, alleys, bridges, bike paths, cemeteries, and public right-of-ways.
The Engineering Division designs, contracts and supervises capital improvement projects involving streets, sidewalks, water mains, sewers and more. This includes the construction of infrastructure in new subdivisions. The Engineering Division also manages the transportation systems throughout our community, as well as the storm water management activities that promote the enhancement of water quality throughout the community.
The Arnold O. Chantland Resource Recovery Plant receives municipal solid waste from Ames along with waste from the surrounding communities and unincorporated area of Story County. The material recovery efforts of Resource Recovery keep items such as glass and metals from being landfilled. Other waste is processed into refuse derived fuel (RDF), which replaces 10-15% of the coal that would be used at the Power Plant. Private contractors are available to haul garbage, but citizens can also do it themselves.