Seattle Sun Newspaper - Vol. 6, Issue 12, December 2002

Copyright 2002 Seattle Sun. Please feel free to use the article and photos below in your research. Be sure to quote the Seattle Sun as your source.

The trouble with fall leaves...

by SUSAN PARK

Fall rains can wash leaves and other debris into roadways, clogging gutters, flooding streets and leading to standing water in neighborhoods. Local residents can help prevent street flooding by collecting fallen leaves in their yards and composting or properly disposing of them.

According to Seattle Public Utilities, those who subscribe to yard waste service may set out two extra bags on their regular collection day in November and December.

SPU also offers the following tips:

Make sure your yard waste is "clean green," without garbage or other debris.

Do not place leaves in plastic bags the bags are not biodegradable. Use paper yard waste bags, a 32-gallon trash can clearly marked "yard waste" or "clean green," or bundle and tie with twine (bundles can be up to four feet in length and two feet in diameter). SPU will ensure that this "clean" yard waste is appropriately recycled.

Other tips for preventing localized flooding in your neighborhood:

Don't put grass clippings, leaves or other debris into the drains, ditches, creeks, culverts, gutters or ravines. (In fact, it's against the law).

Clean your gutters and the drainage downspouts attached to your roof twice a year.

Remove leaves from street drains in your neighborhood with a rake or broom (if you can do so safely).

If there appears to be a blockage below the street surface that is not remedied by removing the leaves, call Seattle Public Utilities' drainage and wastewater maintenance, at 386-1230.

For more information about SPU's yard waste collection program, visit www.cityofseattle.net/util/services/yardwaste/instructions.htm.

If you are not a yard waste subscriber, you may call 684-3000 to subscribe.

In addition to providing solid waste services in Seattle, SPU provides more than 1.3 million customers in the metropolitan area with a reliable water supply and provides essential sewer, drainage and engineering services that safeguard public health, maintain the City's infrastructure and protect, conserve and enhance the region's environmental resources.