Stormwater quality affected by improper cleanup

Winter is here, but leaves are still falling in Mid-Missouri putting residents in the middle of their yearly cleanup.

Leaves can affect stormwater quality if not disposed of properly, according to Jefferson City Public Works.

Public works says the best ways to clean up leaves are to take them to the city’s yard waste composting facility, mulch them or burn them during open burning season until March 1.

However, public works says residents should not rake leaves into the street, stormwater inlets or dump them on creek banks.

“Obviously that tends to clog the inlets and we want the water to pass through easily to keep the water from ponding in the road and things like that,” Public Works Director Matt Morasch said.

Degrading leaves can also deplete the oxygen in streams and hurt bugs, frogs and other wildlife, according to Morasch.

Street crews regularly clear clogged inlets, but the street sweepers are not meant for leaves.

“It creates quite an expense if we were picking up everyone’s leaves with the street sweeper and it’s hard on the equipment as well,” Morasch said.

And when treating your driveway or sidewalks after snow and ice this winter, public works said not to over-do it with salt or other chemicals.

“That does eventually run off into our creeks and streams and has an overall impact on the water quality.”

Another thing to keep in mind this time of year are vehicles that leak oil or other fluids, as those can also wash into the storm water drainage system.

Public works said try to park your car off the pavement or contain leaks in drip pans to prevent harmful runoff.