In October 2006, the City of Pickering purchased an Elgin Eagle Waterless Mechanical Street Sweeper. Why is this great news? Well, City staff evaluated many types of street sweepers but this style proved itself to best support Pickering's commitment to a sustainable healthy community.
Specifically, to highlight positive environmental features, the system:

• Does not require water, which means that it assists in our water conservation efforts and also reduces the silt that can be left as a film on the roadway from water-based street sweepers
• Operates virtually dust free
• Can be operated year-round, meaning staff can get a head start on the spring clean ups
• Certified by the Air Quality Management District (AQMD) Rule 1186 PM-10 Efficient. This certification comes from California, a state known for it's strict air quality initiatives. Basically, the certification means that the street sweeper is capable of removing PM-10 from the roadway, pavement cracks and irregularities without allowing the fine particulate matter to scatter into the atmosphere during sweeping or off loading functions. PM-10 is particulate matter that is 10 microns or smaller. This particulate matter contains heavy metals and non-point source pollutants that could have otherwise been carried by stormwater runoff into creeks and streams.