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Public Works Maintenance

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1. Who do I call to report a pothole?

Call Maintenance at 925-313-7000.

2. Why doesn't the County maintain the culvert / ditch behind my house?

The County maintains only those drainage facilities required as a condition of development constructed to standards applicable at the time of construction and located in an easement or other land right dedicated to the County.

3. A tree fell in the creek behind my property. Can the County remove it?

The County can only remove trees from creeks that they maintain. Usually these are improved (concrete lined or earth trapezoidal) channels. Some creeks are maintained only for capacity, not erosion or other damage.

4. During the first few heavy rains of the season, trees shed their leaves. What can property owners do to prevent these fallen leaves from creating blockages in the drainage systems?

Property owners can help by removing the leaves that have fallen onto their property, and disposing of them in a proper manner. Clear the tops of grates and in front of culvert pipes. With every property owners’ help, we can prevent flooding and help the environment. Please see the Drainage Maintenance Brochure for more information on how to prepare.

5. What is the County’s responsibility in maintaining private drainage systems?

Contra Costa County has 31 major watersheds and sub-watersheds containing more than 1,300 miles of creeks and drainages. Of that total, the County maintains approximately 75 miles of improved creeks and drainages. The rest is the responsibility of private property owners.

The County maintains only those drainage facilities required as a condition of development constructed to standards applicable at the time of construction and located in an easement or other land right accepted by the County. Creek maintenance is the responsibility of the owner whose property abuts a creek.

When the creek area is not properly maintained, the resulting obstructions can lead to increased flooding, changes in the course of the creek, and increased erosion on the obstructed property and/or downstream properties. See Division 1010 of the Title 10 County Ordinance Code for more information on. The Public Works Department recommends the following guidelines on private creek maintenance.

6. For the maintenance of private trees and other vegetation, what can property owners do to help the County’s maintenance efforts?

Property owners can help the County’s maintenance efforts by preventing private trees and shrubs from encroaching onto County roads. These encroachments are in violation of Division 1002 of the Title 10 County Ordinance Code. Please see this diagram for acceptable tree clearances. For information on power lines and trees, please see the PG&E website on this subject.

7. When does the County sweep the streets?

For information on the County's street sweeping schedule, please contact the County's Street Sweeping Manager at (925) 313-2236.

8. What is the County’s Pavement Management Program?

Each year, selected roads throughout unincorporated Contra Costa County receive a surface treatment between June and October. The County Public Works Department has found that a program of preventive maintenance using surface treatments is the most cost effective way to extend the useful life of the County’s road network.

Surface treatments protect pavements from the damaging effects of water and air infiltration and sunlight exposure that can rapidly deteriorate a road. In many cases, the use of a surface treatment will eliminate the need to do expensive pavement patching and will add years to the life of the existing pavement. Surface treatments typically used by the County Public Works Department are single chip seal, double chip seal, slurry seal, cape seal, and microsurface seal.

9. Why are road surface treatments necessary?

The surface treatment is needed to protect pavements from the damaging effects of water and natural weathering.

10. Will I still have access to my driveway during the road surface treatment work?

Yes; driveway access will be maintained throughout construction, but property owners may be subject to some delays.

11. When will roadwork associated with the road surface treatment be finished?

All roadwork is expected to be completed by the end of October; however, the schedule could be delayed depending on weather conditions or equipment breakdown.

12. Will traffic be severely disrupted due to the road surface treatment work?

Perhaps. Provisions have been made to ensure the flow of traffic in each direction for the duration of the project to minimize disruptions, but delays can happen.

13. Why don't I see construction activity associated with the road surface treatment when I drive by?

The normal construction day is between 7:00 am and 5:00 pm.  Workers may be out earlier or later depending on what portion of the project they are working on.

14. Whom can I call with questions I have about the road surface treatment work?

Schedule information regarding the chip seal application can be obtained by calling the Public Works Department Maintenance Division at (925) 313-7000. Scheduling information regarding the contracted slurry seal, cape seal, and microsurface seal application can be obtained by contacting the Public Works Department's Construction Division at (925) 313-2320. The road surface treatment schedules can also be viewed through the links provided in the answers to subsequent questions below.

15. What can I do to help make the road surface treatment work successful?

Watch out for workers and flaggers. Be patient and considerate of other motorists.  Please drive slowly in the work zones and do not drive distracted.  On the day of the posted work, please turn off your irrigation system if water runs off your property and onto the street.

16. Regarding the road surfacing treatment, why do they spray oil on the road before they place the asphalt?

The oil helps the new asphalt layer bond to the existing pavement below it.

17. What is a chip seal?

The County Public Works Department Maintenance crews perform two types of chip seal:

•    A single chip seal involves spraying liquid asphalt on the pavement followed by the spreading of a layer of small aggregate (chips) that is embedded into the oil.

•    A double-chip seal is a single chip seal with a second application (layer) of liquid asphalt and small aggregate.  

Single and double-chip seals are typically used on arterial and collector roads that have a significant amount of wear and high traffic volume. Schedule information regarding the chip seal application can be obtained by calling the Public Works Department Maintenance Division at (925) 313-7000, or you can check back later to find a link to this year’s schedule on this webpage.

18. What is a slurry seal?

A slurry seal is a mixture of fine aggregate, liquid asphalt and water that is spread over the pavement by a County hired contractor. Slurry seals are used on arterial, collector and residential roads that are in good condition. Schedule information regarding the contracted slurry seal application can be obtained by calling the Public Works Department's Construction Division at (925) 313-2320, or you can check back later to find a link to this year’s schedule on this webpage.

19. What is a cape seal?

A cape seal is applied in a two-step process. The first step in the process involves application of a chip seal; the second step involves the application of a slurry seal. Cape seals are used on collector and residential roads that have a significant amount of wear. Schedule information regarding the contracted cape seal application can be obtained by calling the Public Works Department's Construction Division at (925) 313-2320, or you can check back later to find a link to this year’s schedule on this webpage.

20. What is a microsurface seal?

A microsurface seal is a mixture of fine aggregate and liquid asphalt that is spread over the pavement by a County-hired contractor. Microsurface seals are used on arterial, collector and residential roads that are in good condition. Schedule information regarding the contracted microsurface seal application can be obtained by calling the Public Works Department's Construction Division at (925) 313-2320, or you can check back later to find a link to this year’s schedule on this webpage.

21. Who is responsible for mitigating sidewalk tripping hazards?

Tripping hazards that are identified are documented, and, in accordance with the California Streets and Highways Code, property owners are given notice requesting that they replace the damaged sidewalk fronting their property. In addition, property owners are notified that County Ordinance 2008-24 heightens the liability on the property owner if a member of the public is injured as a result of the property owner's failure to maintain the sidewalk in a safe condition.

For more answers to frequently asked questions regarding sidewalk repairs, refer to our Sidewalk Repair Tips.

22. Whom do I call if I want to report illegal dumping?

To report Illegal Dumping, please call the Contra Costa Clean Water Program hotline at 1-800-NO-DUMPING or 1-800-663-8674.

The following are some useful links:

•    North Richmond Illegal Dumping Website

•    Where to Discard Unwanted Items Locally

•    Department of Conservation and Development Solid Waste and Recycling Programs

23. What is the Adopt-A-Road program?

The Adopt-A-Road Program encourages organizations, corporations, groups and individuals to participate by providing volunteers to maintain and enhance Contra Costa County roads. For more information visit our Adopt-A-Road webpage.  If you have questions about the program, please call (925) 313-7000.