Public Works' Week in Review for April 17, 2025

The Public Works Department is made up of various sub-departments including Fleet, Line Repair, Streets/Stormwater and Traffic, Wastewater, and Water. Each week, over 100 employees are responsible for the maintenance, monitoring, and improvement of existing and new infrastructure across League City which includes everything from roadways and traffic lights to storm drains, sewers, and water production.

Below are some tips and projects they are working on:

Potholes Reported Through the Waze App

The Traffic & Transportation Department monitors WAZE traffic software daily to quickly identify traffic issues but sometimes other issues such as potholes are reported through the app. When a pothole is reported, its location is verified, and a work order is promptly issued to the Streets Department for repair. Sometimes the potholes are fixed the same day they are reported.

Once the work order is received, a crew is dispatched to clean the area and apply a temporary cold mix asphalt patch. Although this cold patch is considered temporary it is very durable and often provides a long-lasting fix, a supervisor will inspect the site to determine whether additional work is needed to further stabilize the roadway and prevent future failures.

Pothole Reported

Pothole Fixed

Calder Rd Booster Pump Station Valve Replacement

Water Production department is scheduled for a shutdown to replace a critical 36" butterfly valve that is essential to the daily operations of our Calder Booster Pump Station. This valve regulates the flow and water levels between our tanks, enabling essential functions that are integral to both operational efficiency and regulatory compliance. When this valve is functioning properly, it allows us to isolate tanks as needed for maintenance, annual cleaning, and state-mandated inspections. It also provides the necessary control over water quality by managing factors such as water age, detention time, and tank levels. These controls are crucial in ensuring that we can meet water quality standards and optimize our system's performance.

Fixed Engine Oil Leak on 1992 Military Dragoon 300

Our 1992 military Dragoon 300 was brought over for an oil leak. The Fleet mechanics first needed to diagnose the problem; to do that, they needed to remove the doors and clean the engine compartment. We are checking the oil lines to ensure tightness and that they are properly sealed and secured. While the unit was in the shop, we took the opportunity to perform service and additional maintenance. This unit is used to assist in our public safety division; therefore, Fleet is taking all the necessary steps to make sure that the unit maintains dependability and remains reliable while in operation.

Red Imported Fire Ant:

• Worker ants are dark brown and about 1/16 to 3/16 inches in length
• May live indoors/inside structures or build mounds in open areas
• Usually use trees as nesting areas
• Pest Status: Rarely damage mature trees but can damage young tree roots, field crops and venom is hazardous to wildlife, pets, and humans

Check out the following website for more information and control of the Red Imported Fire Ant (be sure to check out the "Fire Ant FAQ" for specific recommendations): https://fireant.tamu.edu/