The Oberlin Public Works Department maintains the City's infrastructure through the coordinated efforts of six divisions: Administration; Engineering; General Maintenance Division; Parks/Cemetery; Water Division; and Waste Water Division. A properly maintained infrastructure positively affects our residents' quality of life, our business' ability to thrive and the general public's ability to move safely through our community. Sound infrastructure maintenance is a tool for attracting and keeping a strong local business base, a vital part of the City's future.

The General Maintenance Division includes the Streets, Sanitary and Storm Sewer Maintenance, Fleet Maintenance, and Refuse/Recycling. 

Street Maintenance and Sewer Collection includes snow and ice control, leaf and brush collection, traffic signs and pavement marking/painting, storm and sanitary sewer maintenance, repair, and construction, street cleaning, and curb repair. This division maintains more that 58 miles of street pavement within the City limits. 

The Fleet Maintenance Division maintains over 100 pieces of City equipment, including compressors, generators, leaf and brush machines, salt spreaders, and the City's rolling stock of police, fire and service vehicles.

The Refuse and Recycling Division is responsible for residential, commercial, and institutional refuse and recycling collection services within the City.

The Water Division pumps water from the West Branch of the Black River to the Parsons Rd. Reservoir.  At the Water Treatment Plant, water is treated through a series of chemical and physical processes to meet all requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act.  Treated water is pumped to the City.  The Water Division maintains over 40 miles of water line including two storage tanks and all fire hydrants.

The Waste Water Division treats wastewater in a series of physical, chemical and biological processes before discharging cleaned water to Plum Creek.  Effluent meets all requirements of the City’s discharge permit.  

The Storm Water Management Program is intended to control the quantity and quality of storm water that is released to the water shed. 

The Parks and Cemetery Division performs routine maintenance and construction for the City's parks and playgrounds including Westwood Cemetery.  The Division prepares the City's ball-fields for play, assists the Recreation Department during special events, and provides general maintenance for many of the City's buildings.

The Engineering and Administrative divisions provide support services for each of the other divisions within the Public Works Department and other municipal departments.  This includes technical design for major capital improvement projects such as street reconstruction and water, sanitary sewer and storm sewer replacements. 

As Oberlin continues to grow, so does the need for additional streets, sanitary and storm sewer, drinking water systems and environmental services. Proper planning allows this infrastructure building and maintenance to occur without imposing additional tax burdens on Oberlin families.

If you see a condition in the City that requires the action of the Public Works Department, contact us at (440) 775-7218.

Snow and Ice Removal Policy
The City of Oberlin's Snow Plow Plan describes priorities and procedures for removing snow and ice following winter storms. 

Priority clearing is first accomplished on Main St., Lorain St. and College St.  Secondary priorities include Professor St. and Pleasant St.  All other streets are cleared after the main arteries are clear.   Initial plowing operations usually permit restricted traffic movements until snow loading and clean up can be completed. Snow removal is required most frequently in the Downtown Business District due to high vehicle and pedestrian traffic and the lack of adequate snow storage areas.   Snow clearing in the Downtown Business District area is performed during early morning shifts to avoid traffic conflicts.

Salt is used sparingly because of its negative impacts on streets, vehicles and the environment.  Generally salting is limited to intersections, mid-block and other potentially hazardous areas. 

Refuse Collection Schedule
Trash is collected on a weekly basis, Monday-Friday, 5:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. The collection day depends on where you live in the City. Trash must be out by 6:00 a.m., but no earlier than 12:00 noon of the previous day. To help prevent litter in our neighborhoods, please bag or wrap all loose material before you place it in your trash container.

The City of Oberlin charges $4.00 per household per month for residential refuse and recycling collection services.  In 1994, City Council adopted a three container limit for residential refuse in conjunction with the inception of its curbside recycling program. See additional refuse/recycling information.