For the city of Dallas, it’s time to talk about trash

The City of Dallas has formed a multi-departmental collaboration, spearheaded by Dallas Water Utilities (DWU), Code Compliance, Park and Recreation, Office of Homeless Solutions, City Marshals Office, and Dallas Police Department (DPD) to provide support for homeless individuals and lead large-scale cleanup efforts in public and private properties. This initiative also extends to the removal of litter from creeks and channels that have been traditionally outside of the limits of routine maintenance.

The working group has recently conducted research into methods for preventing and collecting trash in streams. The team has evaluated and recommended technologies based on several factors, including location, stream size, volume of observed floatable trash, outfalls, and operational access.

The group considered several technologies such as Litter Booms, Litter Gitters, Bio Clean Automatic Retractable, Bio Clean Catch Basin, Bio Clean Connector Pipe Screen, Storm Trap Trash Removal, and Coanda Curb Inlet. The most cost-effective and operational-friendly technology, Litter Boom devices, were selected to assist in the removal of trash, as well as to help reduce litter entering water streams. Future plans include identifying more stream locations for pilot opportunities and funding the addition of more Litter Boom devices in the fiscal year 2024-25.

In the fiscal year 2022-23, the City of Dallas removed around 13,520 cubic yards of debris and floatables from various locations including gravity storm sewers, pressure sewers, levee maintenance, sump cleaning, trash racks, retention/detention basins, and creek maintenance. The city staff operates and maintains around 30 miles of levees and over 1,800 miles of storm drainage pipelines through regular cleaning, inspection, repair, and emergency response. The city also oversees roughly 700 miles of creeks and channels, and 39,000 acres of private and public floodplain, which all contribute to the city’s stormwater management system.

In their efforts to maintain and operate the drainage system, the city staff monitor, respond, and dispatch crews to handle routine calls and emergencies. This includes addressing blockages from grass clippings, debris, and other impediments during heavy rainfall. The public is actively encouraged to report illegal dumping and littering by calling 3-1-1, as these can result in debris ending up in storm drains, waterways, or creeks.

The city is also undertaking public outreach campaigns such as Every Litter Bit Counts, Reverse Litter, storm drain markings, and engaging in direct outreach at schools and community events, to increase awareness about the importance of maintaining the cleanliness of open spaces and waterways.