Many of our storm sewers lead directly to the Fox River while some lead to retention ponds that then lead to the river. So it is important to remember that anything that is put in the street is in reality being put into the river as well. A cleaner street means a cleaner river, a cleaner lake and a cleaner drinking water source.
Washing a car or rinsing the deck of your lawn mower in your driveway puts unwanted material in our streets. Blown grass clippings, paper, trash, dog droppings, antifreeze, gas and motor oil are all unwanted materials flushed into the street and down the storm sewer when it rains. Blowing snow into the street also adds to the problem because it causes our street crews to use more anti-icing agents to keep the roads safe for travel.
The City’s Sanitation Department removes over 3,059 tons of street sweepings from our streets each year. Help us reduce this amount and help keep our waterways clean. Remember that in spring, no yard waste should be raked into the street.
