Street Sweeping Webinar for Stormwater Awareness Week 2025

As part of our Sea Grant/NOAA-funded research led by the City of Santa Barbara, the process was conducting a comprehensive evaluation of street sweeper performance in controlling microplastics and other pollutants in stormwater. Building on previous studies, our project will assess at least eight different makes and models of street sweepers—including mechanical broom, regenerative air, and vacuum types—using a standardized street dirt simulant enhanced with microplastics. This approach will allow us to rigorously compare each sweeper’s effectiveness in removing both microplastics and a range of particle sizes from street surfaces. In addition, we will measure dust emissions associated with each model, providing an overview of their environmental impacts.

Our findings aim to inform and potentially contribute to the updating of outdated regulations such as AQMD’s Rule 1186, which currently governs street sweeper use in Southern California based on testing methods and technologies from over 25 years ago. By generating unbiased, up-to-date “consumer reports” on sweeper pick-up efficiency, our research will offer stormwater professionals nationwide valuable data to guide the selection of equipment that maximizes pollutant removal. We invite you to join our upcoming webinar later this year, where we will share detailed results and discuss their implications for stormwater management and regulatory policy.