Get to Know Your Storm Drain Today!

It looks like RAIN will once again be with us this weekend and with the beautiful autumn leaves falling all around us, we are joining with the City of Vancouver in asking for your help. 

Clogged storm drains are one of the most common causes of urban area flooding.  And when fast-moving storms blow through, standing water can create slow and often dangerous driving conditions. 

While the weather is still mild, please take a few minutes to check out your nearby storm drains and make sure that the leaves are not blocking access. 

The City of Vancouver published a wonderful press release today with great information about how to easily get rid of your leaves right here within the city.

The City of Vancouver asks residents and businesses to help prevent pooling stormwater on streets this fall by keeping catch basin drains free of leaves. Leaves should never be raked or blown into the street, where they can lead to localized flooding.

Instead, residents are encouraged to take advantage of a free leaf disposal program, now through Dec. 20. This program, available to residents of Vancouver and Clark County, is for leaves only and requires use of a free leaf disposal coupon.

The coupons are available at a variety of locations, including many City of Vancouver offices, in the latest Curbside Recycling Newsletter arriving in the mail later this month, and on the City of Vancouver’s Solid Waste Services website at www.cityofvancouver.us/solidwaste. Vancouver’s Solid Waste Services can be reached at 360-619-4120.

Leaf coupons are also available at these designated free leaf disposal sites:

• H & H Wood Recyclers, 8401 NE 117th Ave. Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, except Thanksgiving Day
• West Van Materials Recovery Center, 6601 NW Old Lower River Road. Hours: 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Closed Sunday and Thanksgiving Day

Don't want to haul leaves? Mow over them and use as mulch around trees and shrubs or to insulate perennials and rose bushes during the winter. Or consider getting the optional yard debris collection service, available from Waste Connections Inc, www.wcnorthwest.com or 360-892-5370.

Other helpful tips:

• Keep leaves and other yard waste contained instead of piling them on lawns or driveways. This will prevent the leaves from being blown into the street and clogging stormwater drains during the next rain storm.
• If you see a clogged stormwater catch basin and are able to stand safely on the curb, out of traffic, you can help get stormwater flowing again by using a rake or a broom to remove leaves and debris. If possible, place any raked up leaves and debris well out of the street, and place in your yard debris cart or compost.
• If the stormwater catch basin drain is still clogged after you’ve removed the leaves, and water is pooling in the street, please call Vancouver’s Operations Center at 360-696-8177 to report the problem. Requests for services may also be made online at www.cityofvancouver.us/PublicWorksService.