Public Works' Week in Review for November 21, 2024

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:

Keep the Drains Clear of F.O.G. (Fats, Oils, and Grease) this Holiday Season

This Holiday Season the Wastewater Department wants League City residents to 'Cease the Grease' on their holiday cooking. Many common ingredients, such as meats, dairy products, and cooking oil contain F.O.G. (fats, oils, and grease) which can be improperly disposed of down the kitchen sink. When they are poured directly into the sink, they can build up on the inside of pipes until they cause clogs and sewer backups which can cause costly property damage. Property damage from sewage backups can result in expensive clean-ups and plumbing repairs.

Here are some things you can do at home to help reduce F.O.G.:

• Don't pour F.O.G. (fats, oils, grease) down the drain
• Avoid using the garbage disposal by scraping food scraps, fats, oils, and grease into trash cans
• Cover the kitchen sink drain with a catch basket and empty it into the garbage as needed
• Place F.O.G. (fats, oils, grease) in sealable collection containers
• Once collection containers are full, dispose of properly in the trash

For more information visit: https://www.leaguecitytx.gov/3978/Cease-the-Grease

Curb and Sidewalk Repairs

The League City Public Works Street Department Concrete Crew is working through the work order requests on damaged curbs and sidewalks needing repairs throughout League City. The work orders are received from citizens who report them to our office, or from internal departments such as the League City Public Works Line Repair Department that request the concrete crew's assistance when they must cut out concrete to repair water lines and sanitary sewer manholes. In addition, the Public Works Streets Supervisor inspects all the streets and sidewalks around League City and will update the list as he sees items needing repair during his daily rounds. The work order requests for repairs are scheduled in the order received unless the repairs needed are deemed an emergency or high impact area then they will be addressed accordingly.

Stress Reduction for Trees

The best thing you can do is actively work to reduce stress on your trees (to make them less "tasty" and/or susceptible to insect infestations diseases, etc.).

Here are some general tips on stress reduction for trees:

(1) Water-this is the most important factor in reducing stress; if you do nothing else, do this! Perform the screwdriver test-make sure that you can sink a 6-inch screwdriver COMPLETELY into the soil (test a few areas under the tree canopy), and adjust water accordingly to slowly buildup 6 inches of moist soil

(2) Organics-feeding the soil to feed the tree" (building up the tree's immune system). There are several options here-use whatever works best for you: (a) a one-inch layer of organic compost spread under the canopy of the tree; (b) a deep-root feeding with mycorrhizal fungi; (c) compost tea (liquid compost); (d) horticultural molasses; (e) Microlife also makes a great all-purpose organic granular fertilizer (available League City Feed Store on Highway 3 and at Maas Nursery in Seabrook)

(3) Mulch-mulch is great for water retention, weed suppression, and providing a slow-release of organic matter. However, mulch should be a MAXIMUM depth of 4 inches and not piled up against the trunk. When mulch is too deep, it inhibits penetration of water into the soil and makes it more difficult for the tree to breathe; and mulch piled up against the trunk contributes to trunk decay. If you have mulch piled up against the trunk, simply take a rake or hoe and pull it off the rootball. Determine the top of the rootball and re-distribute the mulch at the proper depth and distance from the trunk.

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