Leaves can clog drains, causing this kind of mess. |
The many-colored leaves are beautiful right now, but not so pretty when they are clogging storm
drains. The City of Spokane Valley is asking for your help to keep leaves out of storm drains.
When too many leaves get into the drains, they can cause standing water that damages roadways, creates a driving
hazard, and may flood adjacent properties. Wet leaves can also make sidewalks
and roadways slippery for pedestrians and vehicles.
hazard, and may flood adjacent properties. Wet leaves can also make sidewalks
and roadways slippery for pedestrians and vehicles.
You can help by keeping leaves and
debris from your yard out of the street, off the public sidewalk, and away from
storm drains. Here are some tips from the City of Spokane Valley Stormwater Division
to manage all those leaves and make your
lawn and garden healthier:
- Raking
frequently helps your grass get needed sunlight and oxygen. - Bag up those leaves and take them to the
Spokane Valley University Road Transfer Station at 2405 N. University
Road.Find information and disposal rates at www.spokanevalley.org/solidwaste by selecting the “Yard Waste/Organics”
link, or by calling 509-924-5678. - Another option is to mow over dry leaves
using a mulching blade on your mower and leave them in place to provide
nutrients for your lawn. - Pile leaves on bare areas in vegetable
gardens and flower beds, or around the base of trees.Spray with a little
water to help generate topsoil that can absorb more water next year and
reduce watering needs. - Lean how easy it is to turn leaves and
debris into organic compost that can provide nutrients for healthier
trees, lawns and gardens.Find more information on composting, as well as
opportunities for training to become a Master Composter, at www.spokanecounty.org/2024/Master-Composter-Program. There are a limited number of training openings
available to Spokane Valley residents so be sure and visit the website
soon.
Makes me wonder if there's a need for a filter to be fitted as standard over drains… probably a very good reason why this can't be done, but I can't think of it at the moment.
Good point. All I can think of is, even if they don't go down the actual drain, they would pile up on top, and still not let water enter the drain. Other than that, seems like you could just put a piece of screen under each lid!