While residents continue to battle the mounds of leaves dropped into their yards in this fall season, the Hilliard Department of Public Service has asked them to be mindful of what's going into their gutters.
Right of way services manager Larry Lester Jr. said shedding leaves and increased rain can have a larger effect than just clogged storm drains.
"With this change in weather, we must remember to be conscientious of the impact of our activities on our water resources," Lester said. "Rainy weather washes accumulated pollutants from your property down the storm drains, directly to our streams and rivers."
Lester said residents should take special care not to dump the following items into storm drains: leaves and other yard waste, car wash soaps, household and automobile hazardous waste (including paint, oil, batteries and other toxic materials), pet waste, chlorinated pool or spa water, and litter.
"One simple way to make sure you are doing your part to reduce storm water pollution is to rake leaves to the curb in front of your residence, rather than raking them onto the street or down the storm drain," Lester said. "City leaf collection will continue through mid-December, weather permitting."
Leaf collection in Hilliard occurs weekdays between 7:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. According to the Service Department's Web site, it is not necessary for residents to schedule the leaf collection service - city crews will collect all leaves placed at the curbside during scheduled collection.
The department has established the following guidelines for using the service:
¢ leaves must be placed in the green space between the back of the curb and the sidewalk;
¢ do not place leaves in the street or pile them around parked cars, street lights, or fire hydrants;
¢ do not mix brush or trash into leaf piles;
¢ keep children away from leaf piles that are ready for collection.
Hilliard is divided into four equal quadrants for leaf collection, to help avoid leaf piles lying curbside for extended periods, according to Lester. Those quadrants can be viewed on the city's Web site at www.cityofhilliard.com/ servicedepartment.htm.
More information can be obtained by contacting the Service Department at 614-876-7361.
lrice@thisweeknews.com