Public Works

In addition to its normal maintenance activities, the Department of Public Works (DPW) manages the following programs and services:

Adopt-A-Highway

The City of Harvard has a formal program where individuals or service organizations can help keep our community clean by collecting trash and litter along certain highways and streets. The sponsors can adopt a section of a street and are expected to pick up the trash and litter two to four times each year. The City will purchase and install signage along the street identifying the organization.

Pot Holes and Pavement Repairs

To report a pothole that needs to be filled or to request maintenance work on your street, contact the DPW at 1.815.943-4161 or kruckenberg@cityofharvard.org

Sewer Maintenance of Service

In the City of Harvard, the property owner is responsible for all maintenance and repair of the building sewer from the building to the connection with the public sewer main. This includes the portion of the building sewer pipe that is located under the street. The City of Harvard provides all maintenance and repairs of all public sewer mains for our residents, but each property owner is responsible for the maintenance of their own individual building sewer. The cost to repair any blockage or any broken building sewer, even if located under the street pavement, is to be paid by the property owner.

Sewer Backup Problems

The DPW strives to keep the City's system of public sanitary sewer mains and sewer pumping stations in good working condition to provide reliable service to our customers. Despite our best efforts, however, it is not possible to eliminate all problems or to prevent all sanitary sewer backup problems. Sewer backups in buildings do occur if there is a blockage or obstruction in the building sewer, which is beyond the City's control. Unexpected problems such as tree roots, sudden failure of pipe, an accumulation of grease or other debris in the sewer can cause a problem at any time. If you have a problem with a sanitary sewer backup or your sanitary sewer drains are not working properly, contact the DPW during normal office hours (Mon-Fri 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.) If the problem occurs outside normal office hours, contact the Harvard Police Department non-emergency number at 1.815.943.4431. An employee will be sent to your location to check out the problem. If it is determined that the blockage or problem is located within the building sewer, DPW will recommend that you contact a plumber for cleaning or repair of the service line. If it is determined that the problem is in the City's public sewer, the City will begin work to correct the problem as quickly as possible.

Sewer Backup Damage Claims and Insurance

When a sewer backup problem results in property damage, many residents incorrectly assume that the City is responsible and will pay all associated clean up and replacement costs. It is important to understand that State law does not require a municipality to reimburse a homeowner for damages unless the City had performed some specific act that caused the blockage and backup. All property owners are encouraged to contact their insurance provider and obtain the necessary policy to protect them from damages resulting from flooding or sewer backup. The standard property owner's policy does not include this protection and additional coverage must be purchased to include these events. If there are extenuating circumstances and you believe that the City of Harvard is at fault, immediately submit a detailed claim to the City of Harvard Administrative Assistant's Office at City Hall. These claims are then forwarded to the City's insurance carrier, who then conducts an investigation to determine the extent (if any) of the City's liability.

Street Lights

The City of Harvard owns and maintains the street lights in the downtown area. Most of the street lights in all other areas of the City, however, are actually owned and maintained by Commonwealth Edison. The City pays a monthly fee to Commonwealth Edison that includes the cost of electricity and to pay for maintenance and repair work. To report a street light that is not working, a resident may call 1-800-EDISON1 or contact the DPW.

Street Sweeping

The city streets are swept from April until November. Each street is swept once a month.

Storm Drains and Catch Basins

DPW is responsible for the maintenance and repair of the storm drain tiles and catch basins in the city right of way. To report a damaged catch basin or a blocked storm tile contact DPW. THE DUMPING OF ANYTHING EXCEPT WATER INTO A STORM DRAIN IS ILLEGAL.

Tree Maintenance & Tree Limb Pickup

See the City of Harvard Common Codes and Policies for information.

Utility Easements

There are some areas in the city where the water mains and sanitary lines are in backyard easements. If you construct any type of fence or building over them and repairs are needed the obstruction will be removed. The city will not replace the obstruction or replant any foliage except grass.

Water Service Maintenance

In the City of Harvard, the property owner is responsible for all maintenance and repair of the water service from the building to the connection at the curb box. This includes the portion of the water service pipe from the outside water shut off valve (i.e. b-box) and any portion of the water service that is located under the street. The City of Harvard provides all maintenance and repairs to all water mains for our residents, but each property owner is responsible for the maintenance of their own individual water service pipe. The cost to repair any leak of a water service pipe is to be paid by the property owner.

Water Meters and Repairs