Keep Stormwater Drains Clear, Public Works Director Says

According to Brenda Ardrey, Public Works director, keeping lawn trimmings, tree clippings and leaves out of streets and gutters helps keep the City’s storm ditches, drains and other conveyance structures clean and ready to manage stormwater. This year a wet summer has resulted in a healthier and longer growing season for lawns and trees. As autumn quickly approaches, everyone is busy preparing yards and gardens for the coming fall and winter months which historically have been even wetter than Missouri’s summer months.

As a reminder, don’t be tempted to just blow or rake lawn clippings and leaves directly out of the yard and into the street.

Yard debris and litter in streets and the stormwater management system will result in standing water which can become a mosquito habitat and during late fall and winter months may result in frozen patches on roadways and sidewalks. Given the number of ditches and drains within the City, helping us keep materials out of these structures or removing them from the ones around your home will help in reducing the volumes of standing water in your neighborhood.

How can you dispose of lawn clippings and leaves properly? 

*Compost your leaves on your own property. In mowing season, leave grass clippings on your lawn to act as fertilizer. 

*Hire a yard service that properly disposes of lawn clippings and leaves. 

*Take your leaves to the City’s Materials Management Site for free disposal and the City will compost those materials.

Storm drains are made to empty directly into nearby surface waters without treatment, making it imperative that only rainwater enters the storm drain. When yard waste and tree debris reach storm drains, those materials can result in adverse impacts to water quality.

Leaves and yard clippings that reach storm drains may also contribute unwanted nutrients into streams and lakes, which may further decrease water quality. We ask that you help us by keeping the streets and drains around your property clean and clear of litter, leaves and grass clippings.

If you have questions about yard waste or stormwater management, please contact the City of Sedalia Public Works Department at (660) 827-3000 ext. 158.