Public Works & Utilities

A group photo of the Department of Public Works staff.

Who We Are

The Department of Public Works is a multi-division department charged with the responsibility of providing a variety of services to the public as well as maintaining the City of Ashland’s infrastructure. 

Divisions

It houses the Engineering Department, Streets Division, Parks Division, Water and Wastewater Division.

Current Project Information

There are a lot of projects in the works this year. Click here for details about the projects, timelines, contractors, & scope of work.

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Services

Services provided by the Department of Public Works include but are not limited to:

  • Maintain, repair and improve city streets, alleys, sidewalks and bridges
  • Issue Right of Way and Water/Wastewater permits
  • Snow removal and ice control
  • Street sweeping and roadway striping
  • Refuse and recyclables collection and disposal by contracted services agreements
  • Tree maintenance and removal in public areas
  • Provide safe and sufficient drinking water and water for fire protection
  • Clean, repair, reconstruct and maintain sanitary sewers and lift stations
  • Maintain, repair, and improve city storm water infrastructure
  • Survey, design, and oversight of local road and utility construction projects
  • GIS mapping and locates of buried infrastructure

Sanitary Sewer

In 1992, the City replaced the former wastewater treatment plant located on the waterfront with a new treatment plant located near County Road A. All public wastewater treatment in the City is conveyed through 37 miles of sanitary sewer to the main lift station located at 11th Avenue East and Water Street. It is then pumped to the treatment plant where it goes through a series of treatment procedures and is eventually discharged into Lake Superior. The plant also has an 8 million gallon overflow retention basin to accommodate the increased flow through the wastewater system during heavy rainfall and snowmelt.

Water

The City built a new, state-of-the-art water treatment plant in 2001. The plant obtains water from Lake Superior, treats it, and distributes it throughout most of the developed area of the City. The system contains a 1.4 million gallon standpipe and a half million gallon elevated water tower. The plant treats roughly 1.2 million gallons of water a day, but it is capable of treating about 2 million gallons a day.

Office Hours

Due to staffing reductions, the Public Works office  will be open to the public by appointment only. If you'd like to make an appointment, please call us at 715-682-7061. Our office hours are 7:30am–3:30pm and is located at 2020 6th St East in Ashland, WI.

We are confident that questions, comments, and concerns from city residents will continue to be heard and answered efficiently. For city updates, be sure to follow us on social media and sign up for NotifyMe alerts.