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Unfortunately, pushing snow onto driveways and sidewalks is an unavoidable consequence of plowing. Plow operators do not intentionally push the snow on to your driveway/sidewalk. They cannot control the amount of snow coming off the edge of the blade and it is not practical to lift plows at every driveway throughout the City. Plow drivers have to get as close to the curb line as possible to clear catch basins to allow melting snow to drain properly. The main priority for the City is to keep streets safe to travel for emergency vehicles and motorists. The diagram below shows how to avoid the "second shovel."
As frustrating as this can be, during accumulating snow events, thesnow will likely continue to be pushed back up into your driveway/on yoursidewalk until the snow is cleared from the road. Pushing snow out into thestreet is not only counterproductive as the plow will always be angled towardthe curb line and snow will end up back where it came from anyway, but it cancause unsafe driving conditions exposing the homeowner up to potential liability.Additionally, pushing snow into the street is a violation of City ordinance §28-1100(a)(2).
Unfortunately, snow in the driveway is an unavoidable consequence of snow plowing and is not done intentionally. The City’s main concern is making streets safe to emergency vehicles and motorists. To avoid double work when clearing the driveway, try to push snow to the right side of the driveway when looking toward the street instead of to the left. When the plow comes by the snow will dump in this clear area instead of your driveway approach. The more snow you clear from this area, the less will be deposited at your driveway entrance. The diagram below shows how to avoid the "second shovel."
The City of Moline works very closely with the Fire and Police departments. Should the need arise, emergency crews will contact Public Works and the closest plow truck will be diverted to the emergency to clear the way for emergency vehicles and personnel.
It is the property owner's and/or occupant's responsibility to clear snow and ice from sidewalks that border their property within 12 hours after snow has fallen. Any accumulation of snow six inches or greater in depth constitutes evidence of a violation. Failure to comply with removal constitutes a public nuisance. Pushing, plowing or shoveling snow into a roadway is prohibited. View a copy of the Code of Ordinances on Sidewalk snow removal. Snow and ice complaints may be reported to 309.524.2350. Questions or concerns about the City's snow removal policy? Contact our Neighborhood Improvement Officer at 309.524.2014. The City encourages everyone to clear their sidewalks and help others who can't. Help make Moline sidewalks safe for all pedestrians this winter season.
City staff does periodically clear snow in front of fire hydrants, but the Fire Department would appreciate any assistance from homeowners. Unfortunately, the City does not have enough personnel to clear every hydrant in City limits, especially during snow events when they need to be plowing, so we do rely on help from homeowners. The fire hydrant closest to your residence will be used if you or any of your neighbors should have a fire, so the ability to access that hydrant in case of a fire is very important. If each residents clears snow from a nearby hydrant it would ensure that every hydrant is accessible if needed.
The City does not have sufficient equipment/operators to plow all roads at once. The first priority will be to plow the 4 main arterial routes, 6 hill routes, and requests from emergency personnel. The residential streets are plowed when snow accumulation on the road exceeds 2” and will be prioritized after the main arterial and hill routes have been completed. Management evaluates regional measurements to determine when that threshold has been met to begin residential snow removal. Alleys are not included in the City’s snow removal plan.
Please contact Public Works at 309.524.2400 to inform the City of slick spots so that area can be evaluated and addressed accordingly.
It is always important to exercise caution during winter driving conditions and give yourself extra time, but it is even more critical to allow extra travel time when temperatures drop below 15°.
Unfortunately, alleys are not included in the City’s snow removal plan.
The City’s highest priority is the safety of our residents, guests and travelers; however, there are also financial restrictions that do not allow us to use salt on every surface during every storm. Treated salt is used as an abrasive on a case by case and storm by storm basis. Keep in mind that when temperatures get below 10°-15°, even though the salt is treated, it becomes ineffective at melting ice. Please allow extra travel time when temperatures drop below 15°.
Some residential streets contain steep grades or other conditions that make them more difficult to navigate under storm conditions. For safety reasons, these streets are assigned the higher priority similar to that assigned to main arterial and hill routes.
The City does our best to get to all streets as quickly and as safely as possible. After addressing the main arterial and hill routes, management evaluates regional measurements to determine if snow accumulations on the road exceeds 2”. When that 2” of accumulation threshold has been met to begin residential snow removal, trucks will move to residential areas.
All trucks have been equipped with GPS monitoring devices that will show up on an interactive map and indicate where the trucks are, when the plow blade is down, when the salt spreader is active and how long it has been since a truck was there last. This interactive map is almost ready to go live, please check back soon for the web address!
This could be because they are driving through a route they are not assigned to in order to get to where they are supposed to be, they may be out to only spread salt or could be heading back to the Municipal Services building to get more salt, fuel or to get repairs.
If your mailbox is damaged by the snow plow, please contact Public Works at 309.524.2400. Snow is very heavy and can be very compacted snow/ice when coming off a plow blade. The design of the plow is to force the snow and ice off of the road, which can push a lot of weight and force on to a mailbox post. The city uses a 4” x 4” wood post and a standard design metal mailbox for replacements. If the property owner would like a different mailbox or post other than the standard design provided, the owner may receive up to $25 compensation for post replacement and up to $25 for mailbox replacement. We apologize, but the City will not repair or replace decorative mailboxes and decorative posts. Non-standard mailboxes and enclosures placed in the public right of way are at the owner’s risk and responsibility.
Please contact Public Works at 309.524.2400. You will be placed on a list for spring cleanup once all the snow is melted. Sod and grass damage is restored by City crews with top soil and grass seed.
Snow plows are emergency vehicles, but typically operate under posted speed limit. Snowplows are big, noisy pieces of equipment. It may appear at times that the snowplow operator is driving too fast for road conditions. Many times the engine sound and noise of the plow scraping the pavement give the perception that the truck is flying down the street, when in actuality, they are only moving at 15 to 20 miles per hour. The plows do move faster on open stretches of road to push the snow farther off of the road to ensure there is sufficient space to stack the snow from the next storm and to avoid creating high snow banks that can impair visibility.
Ice is a bad situation no matter how much is on the ground and no two ice events are the same. The first priority will be to address the 4 main arterial routes, 6 hill routes, and requests from emergency personnel. Staff will evaluate road conditions each time an ice event occurs and address the needs accordingly. The City’s highest priority is the safety of our residents, guests and travelers; however, there are also financial restrictions that do not allow us to use salt on every surface during every storm. Main arterial and hill routes will be treated with beet juice to help raise the melting temperature of the ice/snow and treated salt is used as an abrasive on a case by case and storm by storm basis. Keep in mind that when temperatures get below 10°-15°, even though the salt is treated, it becomes ineffective at melting ice. It is always important to exercise caution during winter driving conditions and give yourself extra time, but it is even more critical to allow extra travel time when temperatures drop below 15°.
If the street light is on a metal pole, municipal building or facility please submit a request.
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Moline's team of drinking water professionals are dedicated to optimizing the performance of Moline's water treatment plant and ensuring the safety of the water that flows from your tap. We routinely monitor Moline's tap water for more than 100 contaminants in accordance with the requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act. We conduct countless tests every day and continuously monitor key aspects of treatment plant operations to protect your health and safety. Actually, your tap water undergoes far more frequent testing than bottled water. If any regulatory violation or contamination occurs, we are required by law to issue public notification. If you have any questions or concerns relating to safety of Moline's drinking water, please feel free to contact our Laboratory Chemist, Bob Bohannon, at 309.524.2303 or bbohannon@moline.il.us.
Please apply online or in person at the Finance Department at 1630 8th Ave, Moline.
If the shut off valve at the meter is leaking, it is your responsibility to fix it. Sometimes the packing nut may be loose and a simple tightening of the nut eliminates the leak. If this does not stop the leak, please call a plumber to make the necessary repairs. If it is an emergency, call 309.524.2300 for service. If there is water coming into your basement, there could be a variety of reasons. It could be ground water or a service line leak. Call the Water Division at 309.524.2300 so we can investigate the leak and check for chlorine in the water. If water is coming out of a floor drain, you should also call 309.524.2300 for assistance.
Initial inquiries related to establishing new connections to the City of Moline's water and/or sewer systems should be directed to our Utility Billing and Customer Service Manager, Randi Haley, or calling her at 309.524.2309. Randi will research water and sewer availability, tap-on costs and confer with other appropriate City staff, as required. In some cases, Randi will be able to provide an immediate response. In other cases, additional research may be required before a response can be provided.
A separate meter must be installed. You would need to hire a licensed plumber and a plumbing permit must be obtained from Code Enforcement Division at the Municipal Services Center at 3635 4th Ave, Moline. You must go to the Finance Office at 1630 8th Ave, Moline, to pay a set up fee and make arrangements for the meter to be installed. Call 309.524.2300 for more information.
Changes in the aesthetic quality of your water do not typically represent any health-related concerns, although such changes can be disconcerting. We will be happy to investigate and determine the cause and significance of any changes in your water quality. For assistance, please contact Bob Bohannon, Laboratory Chemist (309.524.2303) or Tony Loete, Utilities General Manager (309.524.2301).
Contact Levi Jackson, Water Distribution Manager (309.524.2306), or call the Water Division at 309.524.2300.
There are a variety of potential reasons that may be causing low or no water pressure at your property. Frequently internal plumbing problems, such as, inadvertently closed or partially closed valves, leaking or frozen pipes, or a clogged screen on the aerator of a faucet, are the cause of water pressure problems. Some "detective work" is required to identify the specific cause and correct pressure problems associated with internal plumbing problems. In some cases, low or no pressure may be associated with work on the City's water distribution system, although we typically issue notice door-to-door in such cases. If you are unable to resolve the problem and you need immediate assistance, call 309.524.2300.
Property owners may shut off water at the meter by turning the inlet valve, which is located before the meter where the service line enters the property. If you need your water shut off at the curb, please call 309.524.2300. There will not be a charge to turn the water off and back on for repairs between the hours of 7:00 am and 4:45 pm, Monday through Friday. After 5:00 pm on weekdays and on weekends or holidays, an overtime charge will apply. Requests to turn water on or off for purposes other than repairs will be subject to charges as outlined by Chapter 34 of the Moline Code or Ordinances. If the City plans to turn off your water for any reason, you should be notified in advance. Please call the Water Division at 309.524.2300 to report a problem. To cancel your water service, contact the Finance Department at 309.524.2070.
Call the Joint Utility Locating Information for Excavators (JULIE) at 1.800.892.0123 at least 48 hours in advance. They will notify all member utilities, which include water, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, electrical, natural gas, phone, and cable, who will locate buried facilities in the area. Your property, street or curb may be marked with colored spray paint to locate the utility lines.
Contact the Water Division at 309.524.2300 to set an appointment for service.
This phenomenon is caused by minute air bubbles in the water and is completely harmless. When the water is cold, it can hold more dissolved air than warm water. In the winter, the water taken from the river and treated is very cold. The water warms up during its travel to your home and while it sits in your plumbing. Since the water has warmed, the air is released in tiny bubbles that create the milky appearance. You can demonstrate that this is air bubbles by filling a clear glass with water and observing it for a few minutes. As the air comes out of the water, the milky appearance will begin to clear from the glass of water, beginning at the bottom and moving to the top as the bubbles rise and dissipate.
Water meters are installed in the homes and businesses connected to the City's water distribution system. These water meters accurately measure and record water use within the premises. The water meter readings are collected on a quarterly basis and the consumption data is used to prepare the water and sewer portion of your City utility bill. Water use varies in each home and building, depending upon the number of occupants, life style, quantity and age of water appliances among other factors. Even among residential customers with the same number of family members, there is substantial variation of water use within individual homes. The accuracy of water meters is important to both the water consumers and the City. Accordingly, the City completed a comprehensive water meter replacement program in 2010. The water meters installed during this project exceed industry accuracy standards and feature integrated radio transmitters and digital registers. The radio transmitters allow City staff to collect water meter readings using a mobile data collector. City staff monitors your water use and the performance of your water meter in conjunction with quarterly meter reading operations. If a problem is discovered, we will contact you to gain access to assess the problem, which may include leaving a blue door hanger at your premises. Please contact our utility billing staff at 309.524.2321 to arrange for our personnel to investigate and correct the problem.
The Moline Water Treatment Plant is a lime softening facility. Typically, about half of the hardness found in our source water is removed. Accordingly, our finished water hardness values range from 5 grains per gallon to 7 grains per gallon, which is the same as 80 to 120 milligrams per liter.
The pinkish film is caused by an airborne bacterium known as Serratia marcescens. The bacteria will grow in any moist location where phosphorous containing materials or fatty substances accumulate. Sources of these substances include soap residues in bathing areas, feces in toilets, and soap and food residues in pet water dishes. The pinkish film may appear after remodeling activities or during a time of year when windows are open for the majority of the day. It is frequently observed in toilet bowls, on surfaces in shower stalls and bathtub enclosures, on tiles, in sinks, and in pet water dishes. Serratia marcescens does not come from drinking water. It cannot survive in chlorinated water. We understand that the presence of the pinkish film can be a disconcerting nuisance and we offer the following tips to help address the occurrence of this phenomenon: To clean pet water dishes, bathroom and kitchen surfaces:
To control pink "stuff" in toilets:
Keep bathtubs and sinks wiped down and dry to avoid this problem. Using a cleaning solution that contains chlorine will help curtail the onset of the bacteria.
Please contact the Water Division at 309.524.2300 to report the location of the leak.