Eustis Public Works Department

The City of Eustis Public Works Department is responsible for maintenance and construction of City streets, street signs, sidewalks, trees on the road right-of-ways, the stormwater system (swales, inlets, retention ponds, etc.), and the mowing of the right-of-ways and parks. 

One of our concerns is educating the public on the importance of the swales that are in many front yards throughout the City, and the stormwater inlets. A swale is a wide shallow ditch that has been dug along the street and sometimes beside and behind the property. Swales are used to convey stormwater and to help treat runoff, reducing pollutants that reach our lakes, streams, and underground water supply. When land is developed the volume, speed of flow, and pollutants increase. Swales reduce the waters speed and allow vegetation to filter the rainwater and remove sediments.

It is very important that you do not fill in the swale with dirt, rocks, trees, etc.. If you fill in the swale you have a greater chance of flooding occurring during a heavy rain. Other ways to maintain your swale: remove leaves grass clippings; keep good grass growth, minimize the use of fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides.  Do not pile garbage, trash, leaves, or limbs in your swale. Do not park vehicles in the swale; this compacts the soil so less runoff soaks in.

Inlets: Stormwater inlets are the concrete drains that you see along the streets. These drains are used to convey stormwater to prevent flooding of the streets, businesses, and homes. If these drains become full of yard debris or other garbage they do not work properly.

Please do not blow yard clippings and leaves into the roadway. These items wash down the streets and into the stormwater drains where they plug the system allowing streets, homes, and businesses to flood. Do not dump any type of oil, gasses, antifreeze, household chemicals, BBQ grill briquettes, etc… into the drains or onto the sides of the road where they will wash/run down into the drains. This really adds to the pollutants in the waterways.

Street sweeping: One way we try and keep the debris from the stormwater system is with a street sweeping program. We have one street sweeper that sweeps each street a minimum of 10 times per year. In order for our department to properly sweep the streets cars cannot be parked in the street and debris (leaves, grass, papers, etc) cannot be blown in the street. When yard debris is blown into the street it has a tendency to clog the sweeper and then we are unable to properly clean the street. 

Sidewalks: In the City codes, the sidewalks are the responsibility of the homeowner. But, each year the department receives a little funding to repair and replace some sidewalks. We would like to be able to help everyone that calls, but funds do not permit it. There are some steps that citizens can take to help preserve their sidewalks and keep them in good shape.

1.       Don’t drive vehicles over the sidewalks. Don’t’ allow your contractor to drive on them either.

2.       Don’t plant trees too close to the sidewalk, the roots will push the walkway up.

3.       Keep grass edged along the sidewalk and from between the joints in the walkway.

Other useful numbers:

            Lake County Road Department               352-253-4980

            Lake County Road Sign Department       352-742-1766

            State Road and Sign Office                     352-315-3100