Why do we sweep the streets of our City?  Most people believe we do this to keep our neighborhoods looking clean.  This may be one reason; however, a more important aspect of the street sweeping program is to reduce the amount of pollutants reaching our waterways.  The City of Norfolk operates its’ storm water drainage system under a Virginia Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia.  As a condition of that permit we are required to reduce pollutants to the maximum extent practicable prior to them entering the natural waterways.  The streets are an important part of the storm water drainage system, conveying water to the ditches or pipes.  Therefore if we keep the streets clean, then we keep the waterways clean.  By removing debris from the streets, we are also preventing it from being washed into storm water drains and pipes where it may cause the system to clog, increasing the possibility of flooding.

The City of Norfolk has the most extensive street sweeping program in the region.  We currently sweep all streets in the City, with curb and gutters, once a month.  Downtown Norfolk is swept on a daily basis.  Other cities in the region only sweep their streets once or twice a year, and even then it usually is only major roadways.

STREET SWEEPING CITY-WIDE MAP

To find your sweeping day by address click HERE and follow the address prompts.