Fall leaves are beautiful but when they fall on the ground in autumn they become a major source of litter throughout the treed areas of our community. If not removed, leaves are washed into storm water inlets during a rain or when snow and ice melts which can create clogs in the storm drains and put litter into the water supply.
The City of Topeka is responsible for sweeping our streets. In the fall, sweeping becomes much more burdensome than any other season due to the large amount of leaves.
To assist street sweeping crews, please do not rake piles of leaves or throw twigs and limbs into the street. What might take a two-sweeper crew one or two passes could turn into a five or six pass process. Twigs and larger limbs also can damage the equipment. The fewer limbs and twigs in the street, the less the chance of a breakdown, which would only slow the leaf removal process.
“We are seeking voluntary compliance,” said Jaci Vogel, Deputy Director of Public Works’ Operations, whose department is responsible for maintaining our streets. “While there are measures in our litter ordinance that outlines action to be taken against those who violate it, we would rather have voluntary compliance and have residents bag their leaves.” Vogel said crews would much rather spend their time picking up leaves as quickly as possible and not get bogged down in leaf piles swept into the street.
The purpose of removing leaves from streets is to keep them out of our waterways. Once leaves break down, they become sludge that can clog pipes. Clogged pipes can cause melting snow not to drain, which results in water at intersections freezing. In turn, the intersection can become dangerously slick.
“It is a big job to maintain streets without piles of leaves being added to our workload,” Vogel said. “Help us help you and your neighborhood be clean and safe.”
For more information, click on this link for a video about the City of Topeka’s leaf removal process. https://youtu.be/w3wWEAiscZo