Welcome to the City of Seward Public Works Department Website

It is our mission to deliver services to the general public in a cost effective and prompt manner. Maintenance and re-habilitation of the City's infrastructure constitutes the majority of our work. Public Works is responsible for operations of the Street Department, Shop Department, Water and Sewer Department, Snow and Ice Department, Municipal Buildings, and Community Center.

The Public Works Department provides for the maintenance of City owned streets, buildings/facilities and motor vehicles. The Department is responsible for the placement of utilities in street right-of-ways; provides comments on proposed land partitions, land use variances, street vacations, zoning changes and building site plans. Together with the Engineering Department we issue street right-of-way permits for water and sewer services, driveway and private utility installations; inspect all street, water and sewer drainage improvement construction.

Streets - The Public Works Department maintains approximately 44.14 lane miles of streets within 22 square miles. Summer work consists of signage maintenance, dust control, tar and chips on roadways, alley maintenance, painting of curbs and parking lanes and other duties as assigned. Winter work consists of snow removal sanding of roadways and drainage maintenance.

Shop - Responsible for the maintenance of the City's fleet of vehicles. They also maintain the mechanical components of the Electric department's sub-station (generator plant). Mechanics also assist in the maintenance of the mechanical aspects of the Water and Wastewater infrastructure, Municipal buildings and the Street department.

Snow & Ice - This department has the responsibility of providing safe roads in the winter months. Personnel from the shop and streets work together to remove snow, sand roads and whatever else is necessary to ensure roadways are maintained in a safe and cost-effective manner.

Municipal Buildings - The custodial staff keeps the library, municipal building and fire hall clean and in good repair. They also keep the sidewalks snow and ice free in the winter months and do the landscaping (grass, etc.) in the summer months.

Enterprise Funds

Water - Responsible for maintaining 28 miles of water distribution main lines, six deep production wells, 750 house services, 280 main line valves, 180 hydrants, 4 storage tanks, and equipment associated with this system infrastructure.

Wastewater - Maintains two wastewater treatment aerated lagoons, approximately 22 miles of sewage collection lines, 6 lift stations, 160 manholes, and numerous buildings associated with the wastewater infrastructure.