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Public Works

Show All Answers

1. What causes rusty water, and who do I call if it occurs at my home?

Rusty water is typically caused by a rapid change in velocity in a watermain. This velocity change dislodges some built-up materials that have attached to the inside of the watermain. Call the Public Works Department at (605) 626-7010, and someone will be dispatched to flush the main.

2. What causes a watermain to break?

Watermains often break due to a weakness in the pipe material. Changes in the ground around the pipe, such as moisture content or cold temperatures, are enough to show the weaknesses. Most weakness is due to the age of the pipe.

3. What causes sewer backup, and who should I call if it happens at my home?

Sewer backup can be caused for a variety of reasons. Most commonly, backups are caused by tree roots entering the service line. If you have sewer backup, call the Public Works Department at (605) 626-7010, and they will check the sewer main. If the problem is in the city's line, the line will be jetted immediately. If it is in the service line, the property owner will be advised of the situation.

4. What should I do if I see water dripping from my water meter?

If there is water dripping from your water meter, call the Public Works Department at (605) 626-7010, and someone will be dispatched to your location to have the meter repaired or replaced at no cost to you.

5. Who is responsible for the curb stop on my service line?

The property owner is responsible for the water service line, including the curb stop. The curb stop is a valve located on your service line, and it serves as a safe guard to shut your water service off during emergencies or maintenance needs.

Property owners now have an opportunity to purchase Service line warranty coverage for their Water and/or Sewer Service lines. Utility Service Partners was selected to work with City residents for this option. For more details contact the City Manager's Office @ 626-7025,

Visual Example of Service Line

6. Who should I call if I suspect I have excess water usage?

If you suspect excess water usage, call the Public Works Department at (605) 626-7010. The city's Meter Division has equipment available to help the property owner determine if they have a leaky toilet, faucet, or pipe that is wasting water.

7. What causes water to back up in the city's holding ponds during heavy rains?

The city's water pumping systems are designed to work with the holding ponds so that downstream piping systems and streams are not overwhelmed by extreme volumes of water during heavy rains.

8. How does the city know whether its lift stations are working or not?

Most of the city's lift stations are monitored by a supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) monitoring system. If a malfunction takes place, the system notifies personnel to advise them of the problem.

9. How are pumping stations enabled to continue working during long-term power outages?

The city has installed backup generators at a few of our major pumping systems. We also have portable generators ready to mobilize to smaller lift stations to keep them operating during outage periods.

10. How is the city's recycling program set up?

Any property owner currently receiving solid waste collection services from the city also has recycling services available to them. A monthly fee of $2.50 is billed to the property for this recycling service. Recyclable items accepted through this service include #1 and #2 plastics, aluminum, ferrous metals, office paper, and news print. For more specifics, call the Public Works Department at (605) 626-7010.

11. Why does the city no longer collect yard waste?

The yard waste collection program cost the city between $20,000 and $40,000 more than was being collected in revenues from the sale of yard waste stickers. With the increase in use of mulching mowers, less property owners were using the service and it was no longer cost effective for the city to provide the service.

12. How can the city collect two days worth of garbage in one day after holidays? Why doesn't the city do it that way all the time to save money?

The city performs double collection of garbage when national holidays occur during the week. The Public Work Department's solid waste crew normally operates with three trucks. During double collection days, there are seven garbage trucks used along with about 10 additional people from other divisions in Public Works. Performing double collection of garbage during the holidays accommodates the holiday schedule but does not save the city money.

13. Why does the city have its streets swept so often?

Street sweeping is a best management practice that has been identified to help prevent sediments from entering Moccasin Creek. Approximately 2,000 tons of material are removed from Aberdeen streets annually.

14. How often are streets seal coated?

The city provides full patching and seal coating for every city street on a seven-year cycle. The city's street crew also patches the remainder of the community's streets as needed throughout the year.

15. Why do manhole covers seem to sink every winter?

Manholes and their covers typically stay in the same place throughout the year. The frost action on the pavement causes the pavement to rise due to expansion of water in the soil below, which often looks as though the manhole cover is sinking.