Public works keep city safe and healthy

At a recent meeting the Public Works Department presented its annual report. The Public Works Department has 22 employees that are responsible for potable water plant operations, water and sewer repair and maintenance, City facilities maintenance, parks, traffic control and streets and drainage.

The parks division, with one employee, maintains eight parks and associated equipment, including the spray park and six miles of multi-use paths. Other duties are helping with the Highlander Festival and the Tree Lighting Ceremony.

The main highlight for 2022 was completion of the final phase of Tam O’Shanter park improvements. This was a $2.5 million project that added around 150 parking spaces, improved traffic flow and park landscaping.

The water and sewer division distributes treated drinking water and collects wastewater from approximately 4,700 residential and commercial customers. It also maintains around 150 miles of water and sewer pipes, 11 pumping stations and 1,223 manholes. In 2022 it responded to 852 service orders to repair and maintain the system.

The traffic control/facility maintenance, with one employee, is responsible for street signs, street lights, crosswalks, traffic signals and maintenance of all city owned properties. The division repaired or replaced over 100 control elements including signs, and lights and striped 37 miles of centerline in 2022.

The street/drainage division, with three employees, repaired 250 potholes, crack sealed over 50,000 linear feet, and removed 860 tons of materials from streets, gutters and ditches. The division also applied 4,200 gallons of deicer.

The potable water department received a Platinum Award from the Washington State Department of Health for performing above national regulation standards for water quality for over 15 years. The water system is capable of producing over four million gallons per day. The water is also used by three areas outside the city limits: Williams Finney, Cowlitz Gardens and Davis Terrace. A significant department activity for 2022 was the refurbishing and cleaning of the Ranney well, which improved capacity so Kelso has not had to rely on Longview water.

The 22 employees of the department provide excellent services for the city to keep the citizens safe, healthy and able to enjoy great recreation and City facilities.

with behavioral health needs. During our visit with the Environmental Protection Agency, we learned of additional opportunities, particularly the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, which could be beneficial moving forward with the Dedicated Water Fill Line to Water Reservoir Project.

I am honored to serve as Longview’s mayor and to be a part of a well working team that cares about the city. Working effectively as a council team for the betterment of the city and community is a joy! Special thanks are due to our state legislators, Reps. Jim Walsh and Joel McEntire and Sen. Jeff Wilson as well as our federal Legislators U.S. Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell and U.S. House Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez for their advocacy on behalf of the City of Longview in this year’s legislative session.

Blessings to all this lovely spring.

Longview Downtowners

Josh Carter President