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 Autumn Leaves Can Clog Drains; Free Leaf Disposal Helps Prevent Pooling on Vancouver Streets

Monday, October 26, 2009
Contact: Elsie Deatherage, City of Vancouver Solid Waste and Recycling, (360) 619-4122
E-mail: 

Colorful fall foliage can create curbside trouble when leaves collect in gutters and block stormwater drains in streets.

The City of Vancouver's Operations Center, a division of the Department of Public Works, works hard all year to keep streets and more than 12,000 stormwater catch basin drains clean. Autumn's spectacularly colored leaves and heavy cloudbursts bring special challenges. Street sweepers are generally no match for heavy leaf fall. Sweepers can only push the leaves around, not vacuum them up.

Vancouver residents can help keep streets free from pooling and flooding this fall by keeping stormwater drains free of leaves. Do not rake or blow leaves into the street. Instead, residents can take advantage of a free leaf disposal program, now through Dec. 20, at a variety of locations around the area. 

This free program is available to residents of Vancouver and Clark County only, for leaves only and requires use of a free leaf disposal coupon. Residents will find the coupons in a variety of locations, including at many City of Vancouver offices, in the latest Curbside Recycling Newsletter arriving in the mail starting this week, and on the City of Vancouver Solid Waste Services' web site at www.cityofvancouver.us/solidwaste.

Leaf coupons are also available at the designated free leaf disposal sites:
- H & H Wood Recyclers, 8401 NE 117th Ave. Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, except Thanksgiving Day
- West Van Materials Recovery Center, 6601 NW Old Lower River Road. Hours: 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Closed Sunday and Thanksgiving Day.

Don't want to haul leaves? Mow over them and use as mulch around trees and shrubs or to insulate perennials and rose bushes during the winter. Or consider yard debris collection services, available from Waste Connections Inc., www.wcnorthwest.com or 360-892-5370.

Other helpful tips for autumn leaves and streets: 

- Keep leaves and other yard waste contained instead of piling on lawns or driveways. This will prevent the leaves from being blown into the street and clogging stormwater drains during the next rain storm.

- If you see a clogged stormwater drain and can stand safely on the curb out of traffic, use a rake or a broom to remove leaves and debris. If possible, place the raked up material well out of the street, such as in your yard debris cart or compost.

- If the stormwater drain is still clogged after you've removed the debris and water is pooling in the street, please call Vancouver's Operations Center at (360) 696-8177 to report the problem. Requests for services can also be made online at www.cityofvancouver.us/PublicWorksService.

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