Coon Rapids city Expands Street Sweeping to Protect Local Waterways

Cleaning the Curb, Clearing the Water: Coon Rapids city Expands Street Sweeping to Protect Local Waterways

 COON RAPIDS, MN — The City of Coon Rapids is transforming a routine public works task into a frontline environmental strategy. Beginning in 2025, the city will launch an Enhanced Street Sweeping Program that runs through 2027, powered by nearly $195,000 in grant funding from the Coon Creek Watershed District (CCWD) and the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR).

The initiative goes far beyond curb appeal. Its focus is on protecting impaired waterways, including Coon Creek, by reducing the flow of organic debris and pollutants from city streets into storm drains.

Why Enhanced Sweeping Matters

Street debris — particularly leaves and organic matter from tree-lined streets — is a leading source of phosphorus in urban stormwater runoff. When leaves wash into storm drains, they break down and release phosphorus, a nutrient that can feed excessive algae growth. Just one pound of phosphorus can generate up to 500 pounds of algae.

Unchecked, these algae blooms degrade aquatic habitats, deplete oxygen levels in the water, and threaten fish and other aquatic life. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has identified Coon Creek as impaired for both aquatic life and recreation due to elevated levels of phosphorus and suspended solids.

By increasing sweeping frequency, the city can intercept this material before rain events, preventing pollutants from reaching local creeks and streams.

Targeted Sweeping for Maximum Impact

The expanded program will add two additional sweeps per year in areas identified as most at risk: neighborhoods with a dense tree canopy and a direct connection to impaired waters.

These zones were mapped through a CCWD study that factored in canopy coverage, stormwater infrastructure, and connectivity to local water bodies. The strategy is designed to maximize pollutant removal where it will make the greatest difference.

Investing in Modern, Efficient Equipment

Grant dollars are also funding new technology to upgrade Coon Rapids’ sweeping operations into a data-driven, sustainable system:

• Portable Trommel Screening Plant: A rotating cylindrical screen that sorts collected debris by size. It allows sand and soil to be filtered and reused, while separating and properly disposing of organic debris and pollutant-rich fine particles. This reduces landfill waste and disposal costs.
• Loader Bucket Scale: Enables crews to precisely weigh collected materials, improving tracking, optimizing routes, and ensuring accurate reporting to granting agencies.
• GPS Tracking System: Retrofitted sweepers will now provide real-time location and operational data, ensuring high-priority areas are swept as planned and creating a transparent record of program performance.

How Street Sweeping Protects Water Quality

• Removes phosphorus-rich debris: Leaves and organic matter release phosphorus when they decompose, fueling algae blooms that harm fish and aquatic life.
• Prevents clogged storm drains: Sweeping keeps drains clear, reducing localized flooding and costly maintenance.
• Reduces sediment and pollutants: Street sweepers collect sand, grit, and fine particles before they wash into creeks and rivers.
• Supports healthier waterways: Less debris means clearer water, stronger habitats, and improved recreation opportunities.
• Turns waste into a resource: With the new trommel screen, the city can recycle sand and soil while properly disposing of pollutants.

A Partnership for Cleaner Water

The Enhanced Street Sweeping Program is funded through multiple grants, including:

• $118,000 from the Coon Creek Watershed District, supporting both water-quality improvements and sewer infrastructure.
• $76,733.50 from the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources, specifically for expanded sweeping efforts.
• An additional $15,000 contribution from CCWD toward the purchase of the trommel screening plant.

City leaders and watershed partners emphasize that this collaboration reflects a shared commitment to protecting natural resources and complying with state and federal stormwater management requirements.

Looking Ahead

For residents, the changes will mean more frequent sweeps in targeted neighborhoods, especially during heavy leaf-drop seasons. For the community as a whole, it means cleaner creeks, healthier aquatic ecosystems, and more sustainable waste practices.

As Coon Rapids Public Works officials put it, this is about more than sweeping streets — it’s about safeguarding water quality and protecting the environment for future generations.

MinneapoliMedia