Streets and Stormwater
Streets and Stormwater Contact Information
Contact Information: (727) 942-5606, 325 East Pine St
Email: publicworks@ctsfl.us
For after-hour utility emergencies please contact the city’s Emergency Answering Service at (727)-234-4087
The department is responsible for maintenance and construction of city streets and sidewalks, street sweeping and the stormwater collection system.
Helpful Resources:
Flooding Information Page
Flood Prevention Planning Questionnaire
Stormwater Capital Improvement Program
Video: Stormwater and Sanitary Sewer Systems
Guide for Homeowners – Preventing Urban Runoff Pollution
Watershed – Where we Live Work and Play
Pollution Prevention is Up To You
Stormwater Utility Education
FSA Award Video
Stormwater Action Plan, January 2022
Pollution Prevention is Up To You!
City staff is helping to raise awareness of protecting our waterways by marking storm drain inlets. Storm drains carry rainwater to the nearest body of water. Everything that enters a storm drain flows directly into our creeks, lakes, Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. It is illegal to dump leaves or other yard waste, motor oil, trash, chlorinated pool water, paint or any other pollutants into the street, storm drains or waterways. When storm drains get clogged with yard waste or debris, water can flood streets and homes. For more information about protecting natural floodplains or to report a violation, visit www.pinellascounty.org/watershed or call the stormwater hotline at (727) 464-4425, 24-hour hotline at (727) 464-5060 or call The City of Tarpon Springs, Stormwater Division at (727) 942-5606.
Thank you for your support!
Certain times of the year (usually late December to March) our beautiful trees drop their leaves. It is not only illegal, but imperative that we, as homeowners bag our fallen leaves and dispose of them properly, either at an approved landfill or through your trash pick-up provider. Not disposing of leaves and yardwaste properly will result in written notice, code enforcement and possible fines per City Ordinance: § 8-23.
Proper Fertilizer Usage
Pinellas County law bans the sale and use of any lawn or landscape fertilizer with nitrogen or phosphorous from June 1 to September 30. Learn more at the Pinellas County website. Incorrect use of fertilizer and poor landscape debris management can allow nutrients to leach into the groundwater and wash into storm drains that flow to lakes, streams and bays. When irrigating with Reclaimed Water, fertilizer usage should be decreased due to nutrients found in reclaimed water.
This video was produced through a grant from the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council, Stormwater Education Committee. Excess nutrients in our waterways can cause harmful algae blooms, which lower oxygen levels and lead to fish kills. You can help protect our waters from “The Beast”!
Tidal Check Valves
Tidal Flooding
Frequent and chronic tidal flooding occurs throughout many locations within City limits due mostly to the low-lying nature of the roadways and nearby areas with hydraulic connections to adjacent tidally influenced water bodies via storm sewer systems. During higher than normal tidal events, such as those associated with Spring or King Tides (high tide events coinciding with a new or full moon, which can be further exaggerated by prevailing winds), flooding occurs at these low-lying locations when tide elevations exceed that of the existing roadway and adjacent ground surfaces. When these “sunny-day” flooding events do occur there is significant effort on part of the City’s Public Works staff and that of the City of Tarpon Springs Police Department to set up, maintain/enforce, and take down traffic barriers that prevent roadway traffic from becoming trapped/flooded or from creating “wakes” that have the real potential to cause significant property damage in these low-lying developed areas.
Examples of Tidal flooding on Dodecanese Boulevard and Canal Street at Roosevelt Boulevard
Tidal Check Valves
To protect against tidal flooding of our roadways and adjacent ground surfaces, the City has installed tidal check valves within existing storm sewer systems.
How they work
The tidal check valves have an internal saddle that functions similar to a flap gate, which allows flows through the storm sewer pipe only in the downstream direction. This same internal saddle closes with minimal back pressure and prevents tidal waters from back flowing through the storm sewer pipe and flooding our roadways and adjacent ground surfaces.
Limitations
Unfortunately, even with added check valves, these low-lying areas could still flood during rainfall events that coincide with high tidal surges, unless pump systems are also introduced to provide adequate positive drainage during these higher tide conditions. However, these pump systems are costly to design, construct and maintain, and are not always a viable option to relieve tidal flooding. The tidal check valve is, therefore, a cost-effective means to achieve a first line of defense when protecting against tidal flooding.
Installed Locations
The City has installed tidal check valves within existing storm sewer systems at the following locations:
- Bayshore Drive and Sunset Drive
- Bayshore Drive and Desoto Way
- Dodecanese Boulevard and Hope Street
- Dodecanese Boulevard and Athens Street
- Dodecanese Boulevard and Arfaras Street
- Spring Boulevard and Canal Street
- Chesapeake Drive south of Royal Drive
Click the link to view video of the installation of a check valve at Bayshore Drive and Sunset Drive
Photos of the installation of a check valve at the City Marina Parking lot on Dodecanese Boulevard:
Street Sweeping
Certain times of the year (usually late December to March) our beautiful trees drop their leaves. It is not only illegal, but imperative that we, as homeowners, bag our fallen leaves and dispose of them properly, either at an approved landfill or through your trash pick-up provider. Not disposing of leaves and Yardwaste properly will result in written notice, code enforcement and possible fines per City Ordinance. Section 8-23 provides that “No paper, handbills, leave, lawn trimmings, brush, sidewalk sweepings or trash or waste materials of any description shall be thrown on the street or be deposited in the gutters of any street.”
It takes approximately 2 weeks to complete a citywide sweeping cycle, dependent upon mechanical, staffing, weather and emergency situations.
Streets and Rights of Way
Sidewalks and Curbs
Routine maintenance such as trimming, edging and keeping clear of obstruction for pedestrians is the responsibility of the Homeowner/Business owner. Any defects occurring with the sidewalk such as settling, raising or breakage caused by trees or natural conditions should be reported to the Streets section for repair. Any damage caused by the resident or their contractors will be the responsibility of them to repair. All repairs must comply with all City specifications and American with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. It is also the responsibility of the Homeowner/Business owner to keep trees growing over the roadway trimmed above their sidewalk to a height of no less than 10 feet above the sidewalk. All grass and landscaping materials must be trimmed back and kept off of the sidewalk.
*Note: County road/sidewalk issues should be reported to Pinellas County Public Works at: 727-464-8900
Roadways
Any defects occurring within the roadway such as settling, raising, cracking, depressions or potholes should be reported to the Streets Section for repair. It is important to understand that the problem may be caused by infrastructure or tree related issues that may need to be addressed before the roadway defect can be repaired. It is the responsibility of the Homeowner/Business owner to keep trees growing over the roadway trimmed to a height of no less than 14 feet above the roadway. All grass and landscaping materials must be trimmed back and kept out of the roadway.
*Note: Street sign damage or repair should be reported to the City’s Facilities Division, Signage & Wayfinding Section at: 727-942-5630.
*Note: Street light outages or problems should be reported to Duke Energy at: 727-443-2641
*Note: County road/sidewalk issues should be reported to Pinellas County Public Works at: 727-464-8900
Right of Way Maintenance
For a comprehensive list of all tree and landscape information and requirements for the City of Tarpon Springs, please visit our tree and site information page.