
From
the flow of water to the flow of traffic, the City of Ames Public
Works Department is responsible for managing the many important
infrastructures in the community.
The Public Works Department maintains the City's water mains, sewers, streets, cemeteries and manages the Resource Recovery Plant. 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.
Five divisions within the Public Works Department work together to build and maintain the City.
Public Works Administration is responsible for the overall coordination and support of all public works operational activities and capital projects.
The Traffic Division manages signal systems, signs and pavement markings that regulate traffic in Ames excluding Highway 69 and areas under the jurisdiction of Iowa State University. The Traffic Division also maintains the parking system, which includes parking meters, parking lots and regulation signs and markings.
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, public rights-of-way, the airport and City Hall.
The Engineering Division designs, contracts and supervises reconstruction and new capital improvement projects involving streets, sidewalks, water mains, sewers and more.
The Arnold O. Chantland Resource Recovery Plant receives garbage from Ames and the surrounding communities. Private contractors are available to haul garbage, but citizens can do it themselves.