Rake A Drain
Rake A Drain
It’s that time of year again! Wind and rain push leaves and debris into the street, which in turn can plug storm drains and catch basins. City crews will be working to keep storm drains clear, but with over 6,300 drains in Olympia, we could use your help.
You Can Help Prevent Flooding
Just take a garden rake or even your foot, and remove the leaves from the top of the storm drain grate. Be sure you remove the debris out of the street, or it will just return during the next storm.
Don’t Rake Leaves Into the Street
Kevin Krall, Street Supervisor, relays, “When residents rake leaves into the street, our street-sweeper cannot keep up.” Leaves clog the drains, contributing to localized flooding. “Plus, when collected by the street sweeper, they often become contaminated with the oils and grease on the road, thus ending up in the landfill rather than being made into valuable compost.” See the below options for leaves; remember, your actions make a difference.
Options for Leaves
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Saturday Drop-off Site Open: The site is open from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturdays, through November 17, 2009. The Saturday Drop-off Site is located at 1401 Eastside Street, SE, Olympia.
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Turn them into Compost: Put sustainability into action – use your leaves for compost or mulch around your plants. When properly used as mulch or compost, leaves provide an outstanding organic matter and nutrients to the soil.
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Put them in Your Organics Cart: Put your leaves into your organics cart so they can be recycled and turned into rich reusable compost. Don’t have an organics cart? Call 360.753.8340 to sign up.
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Get Free Leaves: The City of Olympia has FREE leaves available for composting. There is a 5-yard minimum and they are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please call 360.753.8588 or email publicworks@ci.olympia.wa.us to learn more.
Need Assistance?
If flooding is severe and you are unable to clear the drain, please call us at 360.753.8333.
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