In the 1870s, city engineer Major Charles Davis was called to investigate a typical public works complaint—the dreaded “basement backup problem.” We can all imagine what Davis faced when he showed up to investigate—a group of homeowners upset with water flooding into their basements, absolutely certain that somehow it was the city's fault.
At the city where I used to work, there is a woman named Cindy who handles all the calls for the public works department, providing a front-line response to all requests and complaints. With her knowledge of city regulations and procedures, she is quickly able to determine the proper reaction to each caller's concerns. If the caller is requesting some type of service the city does not normally provide, like shoveling their personal walk or driveway or cutting down their neighbor's tree hanging over the property line, Cindy is able to calmly explain why the city is not able to help and can sometimes suggest alternate solutions.
In Kendall County, Ill., the race is on. As developers scramble to buy farmland, builders scurry to create homes, and people flock to purchase lots, officials entrusted with providing public works must struggle to keep pace with the growing need for services.
School may be out for the summer, but I can't stop thinking about picking up my child, who attends the local public school.
A downpour can elicit many emotions, but only those in public works think of rain in terms of overloaded sewers and surcharged manholes. Sometimes even the forecast of rain can bring about visions of backed-up basements, overflowing inlets, and angry citizens.
