HAGERSTOWN, MD (June 13, 2023) – Washington County Division of Environmental Management is proud to announce the Clean County Street Sweeper has collected over 5 million pounds of debris off streets and roadways across Washington County, Maryland. This exciting milestone follows just 4 years after its inception in January 2019.
The street sweeper serves as a tool for treating impervious areas to ensure the County is meeting state-mandated requirements for the MS4 permit. It is a formidable force against dirt, leaves, garbage, and other debris that accumulate on our streets. It may seem like a mundane task, but this unsung hero plays a vital role in maintaining the cleanliness and aesthetics of our community.
Behind the scenes, dedicated operators steer this sweeping machine with precision and expertise. Their skillful navigation ensures that no corner or crevice is left uncleaned. They work diligently, often during late-night or early-morning hours, to ensure minimal disruption to the flow of traffic while efficiently performing their crucial duties.
“This is a big deal because this five-million-pounds of material would have entered into our streams or our stormwater network, polluting our streams or clogging up our infrastructure. Over the four plus years of this program, the Clean County crew has helped set the standard for professionalism and courtesy by County field staff and this five-million-pound milestone is a testament to their commitment to coming in every single day and doing the job that needs done for the residents of Washington County. Their daily grind continues to advance the County’s efforts towards meeting state and federal mandates for local stormwater and stream health and without their hard work, the county would be in a much worse position in our attempt to meet the NPDES Permit and Chesapeake Bay Restoration goals. I am proud of the Clean County crew, and we have our sights fixed on the next million pounds,” stated Alex Reed, Watershed Specialist.
To track debris collected throughout county streets, click here.
For additional information, please contact Washington County’s Public Relations and Marketing Department at 240-313-2380.
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