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Stormwater

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1. What is storm water runoff?

Storm water runoff is water from a precipitation event (rain or snow) and urban runoff occurring from human activities like car washing and over-watering of landscaping that runs off the land surfaces toward surface waters including our washes and rivers.

During runoff this water comes into contact with many pollutants that result from human actions

2. What Can I do to help?

• Properly maintain your vehicle, get tune-ups and change oil and fluids regularly as recommended


• Take your vehicle to a car wash or use biodegradable soaps


• Sweep sidewalks and driveways before or instead of using a garden hose to clean


• Use non-toxic chemicals whenever possible in your yard, and follow label directions carefully


• Pool backwash must drain to landscaped areas or other containment areas within your property


• Don’t over-water landscaping


• Don’t drain swimming pools, spas, hot tubs, or fountains into storm drains or to streets without de-chlorinating and calling the Town


• Only rain should go into storm drains. Please report illegal dumping


• Carpool when possible


• Help the Town to keep our storm water clean. Volunteer with Adopt-a-Neighborhood, Adopt-a-Roadway, or other volunteer clean-up efforts in your community


• Dispose of household chemicals through the Pima Household Hazardous Waste Program. Have a neighborhood collection day and take containers to one of Pima County’s collection locations. These can be found on the County’s website

3. What types of pollutants are entering the storm system?

1. Automotive: Antifreeze, Brake fluid, Auto transmission fluid, Soot from automotive exhaust, Degreasers, Grease, Gasoline, Motor Oil, Rubber, Tire dust, Trace metals


2. Household: Barbecue lighter fluid ,Bleach, Cleaning Solutions ,Disinfectants, Drain Cleaners ,Garbage, Paint Stripper & Thinner, Paints, Varnish, Window Cleaners, Wood Preservatives


3. Pet: Flea Killers, Pet Wastes, Cat litter


4. Yard: Bare Soil, Grass Clippings, Leaves, Herbicides, Pesticides, Fertilizers, Sawdust, metal shavings, Soap, Detergents, Swimming Pool & Spa Chemicals


5. Facts:
   
   
   
   • Dumping one quart of motor oil down a storm drain contaminates 250,000 gallons of water
   
   
   • Paved surfaces and rooftops cover 40-80% of an urban area
   
   
   • Water runs off paved surfaces 10 times faster than off unpaved surfaces
   
   
   • Typical homeowners use 5-10 pounds of chemicals on their lawns each year
   
   
   • As much as 50% of all household hazardous waste is liquid
   
   
   • About 13% of all motor oil purchased leaks into streets
   
   
   • The oil from one car engine can produce an 8-acre oil slick
   
   
   • 25 million tons of rubber wears off American tires every week, leaving behind tire dust on the roadways and parking lots that contains zinc and other trace metals
   
   
   
   

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Town Manager

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1. Why do I have a Tucson mailing address if I live in Marana?

Postal codes are administered by the US Postal Service. The Post Master General categorizes the town or city in a mailing address by zip code. Each zip code has only one city classification. Many parts of Marana were placed in zip codes with Tucson labeling before they were annexed into the Town. The Post Master General does not change zip codes because of annexation, so some areas of Marana still have Tucson coding. The Town hopes to work with the Office of the Post Master General in Washington D.C. to change this discrepancy.

2. Who can I talk to if I am having a problem with my Cable service?

The Town is a franchisee of Comcast Cable. Their customer service personnel can be reached at 744-1900.

3. Why aren’t the Council Members at Town Hall all the time?

At this time, all seven Council positions (included those of the Mayor and Vice Mayor) are only part time positions. Some of the Council Members have other jobs and some are retired. However, because they all have office space in the Municipal Complex, they usually come in to Town Hall on a frequent basis although they keep no set schedule of office hours.

4. Can I get an Eagle Scout Certificate for my son from the Mayor?

To receive an Eagle Scout Certificate signed by the Mayor, please email adminmgr@marana.com with your scout’s name, troop number, mailing address and the date of his ceremony.

5. How can I get in contact with my Mayor and Council Members?

Members of the Town Council can be contacted by using the email or mailing addresses provided under the “Mayor and Council” link on the Government menu. Also, all members of the public are invited to address the Council during the Call to the Public during regular Town Council meetings (held at the Municipal Complex at 7pm on the first and third Tuesdays of every month).

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Traffic Engineering

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1. What is Traffic Engineering?

The Institute of Transportation Engineers, an international professional organization, defines traffic engineering as "that phase of engineering which deals with the planning, geometric design and traffic operations of roads, streets and highways, their networks, terminals, abutting lands and relationships with other modes of transportation for the achievement of safe, efficient and convenient movement of persons and goods."

Traffic Engineering involves two major areas of activity:

1. Team decision making about new streets, highways and other transportation matters;


2. Responsibility for the efficient, convenient, and safe use of existing transportation facilities.

One of the tasks of traffic engineering is long-range transportation planning. Working with sophisticated, computer-aided techniques, engineers and planners determine future transportation needs.

2. Will a "traffic signal" reduce crashes at our intersection?

Traffic signals don't always prevent crashes. In many instances, the total number of crashes and injuries actually increase after they're installed.

In deciding whether a traffic signal will be an asset and not a liability, traffic engineers evaluate the following criteria:

1. Does the number of vehicles on intersecting streets create confusion or congestion?


2. Is traffic on the main street so heavy that drivers on the side street will try to cross when it is unsafe?


3. Does the number of pedestrians trying to cross a busy main street create confusion, congestion or hazardous conditions?


4. Does the number of school children crossing a street require special controls for their protection? If so, is a traffic signal the best solution?


5. Will the installation of a signal allow for continuous, uniform traffic flow with a minimum number of vehicle stops?


6. Does an intersection's crash history indicate that a signal will reduce the possibility of a collision?

Traffic engineers compare the existing conditions against nationally accepted minimum standards established after many years of studies throughout the country. At intersections where standards have been met, the signals generally operate effectively, with good public compliance. Where not met, compliance is generally reduced, resulting in additional hazards. While a warrented traffic signal improves the flow and decreases crashes, an unwarrented one can be a source of danger and annoyance to all who use an intersection: pedestrians, cyclists and drivers.

3. How do we get multiple-way stop signs installed at an intersection?

In order to provide a sound basis for engineering judgment with respect to the need for installing stop signs on all approaches of an intersection, the Traffic Engineering Division conforms to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). This manual, prepared by a national joint committee of municipal and state officials, contains the following conditions or warrants, which should be present before a traffic control device such as a multi-way stop control is warranted.

• As an interim measure where a traffic control signal is warranted and urgently needed;


• There is evidence of a traffic accident problem indicated by the occurrence of five (5) or more reported accidents of a type susceptible to correction by the installation of a multi-way stop within a 12-month period; or


• A significant and evenly distributed volume of vehicular and/or pedestrian traffic is present at the intersection.

It should be noted that "STOP" signs are used to assign the right of way and are not intended to be used just to slow down speeders. Installing stop signs at an unwarranted location can create a false sense of security for the pedestrians and drivers, potentially decreasing the margin of safety at all intersections. Unwarranted “STOP” signs can also increase the potential for rear-end type accidents. By adhering to the nationally adopted guidelines, traffic engineers ensure that the stop signs are placed only at appropriate locations.

4. How can we have a "children at play" sign installed in our neighborhood to help protect our children?

Children should not be encouraged to play in or near the roadway. It is much more appropriate to educate children on the hazards presented by moving vehicles and the need to not enter the roadway except for the purpose of crossing. Unfortunately, the use of "Children at Play" signs does not provide an added degree of protection.

The Traffic Engineering Division's policy is not to install "Children at Play" signs on Town-maintained roadways as they tend to create a false sense of security for both parents and children. Studies have shown that these signs, when posted in residential areas, have not reduced pedestrian accidents or vehicle speeds. The use of “Children at Play” signs could be interpreted as an endorsement by the Town of the use of streets as play areas. In addition, Federal and State signing regulations do not allow us to use the "Children at Play" signs since they are not considered as accepted and standard traffic control devices. We are, however, allowed to post signs for schools, playgrounds, parks and other recreational facilities.

5. Why can't we get a striped crosswalk since some people cross the roadway at this point?

Crosswalks are generally installed only at those locations where a significant number of pedestrians cross the street or where there is a potential for conflicts between vehicle and pedestrian movements. In order to not degrade the value of all crosswalks, we have to be careful about not installing too many.

Crosswalks are generally installed at a point where sight distances to the approaching vehicles can be maximized. Typically, crosswalks are installed at intersections and not at mid-block locations because motorists generally do not expect pedestrians to be crossing at non-intersection locations.

It should be noted that crosswalks are intended to indicate to both pedestrians and motorists where pedestrians should cross the roadway, and they are intended to heighten motorists' awareness of a pedestrian crossing point. Unwarranted and random installation of crosswalks can lead to pedestrians and motorists ignoring them, thus undermining the purpose of installing crosswalks. Also, recent national studies have found that a significant number of people that use a marked crosswalk do so rather carelessly, apparently thinking that the crosswalk will provide the ultimate protection. That is why crosswalks are only installed at locations where they are clearly needed.

6. How can I have new or improved lights installed on my street?

Requests for street lighting on Town maintained streets are investigated to determine whether lighting improvements are warranted due to a documented traffic accident, safety problem or a significant increase in reported criminal activity. Street lighting studies generally take 30 to 60 days to complete.

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Water

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1. Where can I pay my water bill?

Your water bill can be paid at the Water Department, which is located inside the
Marana Operations Center (MOC) at 5100 W. Ina Road (on Ina between I-10 and Silverbell Rd), or at the Marana Municipal Complex (MMC) at 11555 W. Civic Center Dr (Barnett Rd and Civic Center Dr). We can also accept payments over the phone, at no charge, with a debit/credit card by calling (520) 382-2570.

2. What methods of payment are acceptable?

At the MMC, payments can be made with cash, check, or money order. At the MOC (Water Department), payments can be made with cash, check, money order, debit card, or credit card.

3. Can I pay my bill online or over the phone with a check or view my statement online?

We are currently in the process of having online bill payment as an option for our customers as well as statement viewing online, but unfortunately at this time we do not offer this service. Also, at this time we do not accept checks by phone, but we are able to accept payments over the phone with a debit or credit card at no charge.

4. Can I have my bill automatically deducted from my checking account or credit card?

We do offer our customers the option to have their water bill deducted from their checking account or credit card. To have your water bill deducted from your debit/credit card, just give us a call at (520) 382-2570 and give us the card number and we’ll do the rest. To have your water bill deducted straight from your checking account, just fill out the Direct Debit Authorization Form, which can be obtained from the Doc Center on this website, or directly from the Water Department. For both automatic deductions, your water bill amount will be deducted on the due date of your bill. You will still receive a monthly statement, so that you are able to track and monitor your usage and monthly bill amount.

5. Are there any discounts given for filling up my pool?

The Water Department does not give any discounts to customers for filling up a swimming pool. We do ask that you please notify us before filling up your pool.

6. How do I establish water service with the Town of Marana?

The first step to starting service with us is to contact us at (520) 382-2570. From there, we will ask you questions such as what is the service address you are moving to, when would like service started in your name, your name and mailing address, and phone number. For more information about establishing service please see the “Establishing New Service” section of this website.

7. How much time is needed, in advance, to establish water service?

The Water Department requires a 24-hour notice for any request by a new or existing customer, with the exception of major water leaks or the like.

8. How can I make changes to my account (i.e. name changes, address changes, phone number changes, etc.)?

Changes on an account can be made in person or over the phone, by only the person or persons whose name appears on the account. Address changes or phone number changes can be made by completing the form on the back of your water bill. Any name change must be done by the authorized persons on the account for your safety. If name changes are to be done without the authorized person’s presence, then we would need a document in writing (or similar document) from the authorized person, stating that the change is acceptable.

9. What are your water rates and fees?

To view a complete listing of our current water rates and fees please see the “Rates and Fees” section of the website.

10. Is my address serviced by the Town of Marana Water Department?

Even though your address may be a Marana address, you may not be serviced by the Town of Marana Water Department. To be 100% sure of what water provider services your address, please contact the Water Department at (520) 382-2570.