Media

Help Keep Your Storm Drains Clear

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

City crews work hard to keep storm drains clear but they need your help! Clear storm drains can prevent localized flooding that causes property damage and unsafe road conditions.

When raking leaves, some people rake and bag them for City pick-up. Others mow them into mulch on their lawns or dump the mulch into their compost piles. Others just blow leaves away from their property. That is fine if you have a place where you can safely blow leaves, such as a wooded area or onto a natural area on your property. Blowers are convenient, but eventually the leaves need to be cleared away. Blowing or raking leaves into a roadside ditch, storm drain or nearby pond is not the proper way to dispose of them.

Once a storm drain is clogged with leaves, the result is flooding on your street after a heavy rain. When runoff-driven leaves reach a waterway, they decompose, turning into nutrients as they would in a compost pile. Too many nutrients in a waterway cause algae blooms that can kill fish and other small animals.

Tips on Raking:

  • Never rake or blow leaves into the streets, ditches or storm drains.
  • Check with your locality to find out how leaves are collected (bagging, curbside vacuuming, etc.). Only place leaves and other yard debris at the curb on the designated pickup day.
  • Mow over your leaves to create finely chopped mulch and then simply leave them there. It’s one less chore you need to do and your lawn will love the mulch!
  • A family compost bin is a great place for leaves. Come spring, your garden will be thankful for the fertile soil.

For more information on how to get rid of your raked leaves, call Public Services at 803-642-7613.

Upcoming Events

Apr
1
Mon
2024
8:00 am Spring Camp
Spring Camp
Apr 1 @ 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Spring Camp @ Odell Weeks Activities Center
Spring into action with crafts, games, and more at the City of Aiken Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Department’s annual Spring Camp! Dates: Monday, April 1 – Friday, April 5 Times: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.*[...]
Apr
2
Tue
2024
8:00 am Spring Camp
Spring Camp
Apr 2 @ 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Spring Camp @ Odell Weeks Activities Center
Spring into action with crafts, games, and more at the City of Aiken Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Department’s annual Spring Camp! Dates: Monday, April 1 – Friday, April 5 Times: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.*[...]
11:00 am 4L’s Series – Body Health “How t...
4L’s Series – Body Health “How t...
Apr 2 @ 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
4L's Series - Body Health "How to Care for Your Body" @ Lessie B. Price Aiken Senior & Youth Center Banquet Room
Living, Loving and Lifelong Learning: Topics for Healthy Aging brings informational sessions to seniors to address issues, questions, and concerns they may have as they age.
5:30 pm Design Review Board / Work Session
Design Review Board / Work Session
Apr 2 @ 5:30 pm
Design Review Board / Work Session
City of Aiken Design Review Board Meeting Municipal Building, 111 Chesterfield St S Upstairs, City Council Chambers Work Session  5:30 PM Regular Meeting 6:30 PM WRITTEN COMMENTS ARE ENCOURAGED. ONLY THE REGULAR MEETING WILL BE[...]
Apr
3
Wed
2024
8:00 am Spring Camp
Spring Camp
Apr 3 @ 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Spring Camp @ Odell Weeks Activities Center
Spring into action with crafts, games, and more at the City of Aiken Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Department’s annual Spring Camp! Dates: Monday, April 1 – Friday, April 5 Times: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.*[...]
Apr
4
Thu
2024
8:00 am Spring Camp
Spring Camp
Apr 4 @ 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Spring Camp @ Odell Weeks Activities Center
Spring into action with crafts, games, and more at the City of Aiken Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Department’s annual Spring Camp! Dates: Monday, April 1 – Friday, April 5 Times: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.*[...]

City of Aiken Newsletter

Stay up to date with the City of Aiken along with alerts and events by signing-up for our newsletter!

General Information

Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday
8:10 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Mailing Address
P.O Box 1177
Aiken, SC 29802

Physical Address
111 Chesterfield St. S
Aiken, SC 29801

Phone:
803-642-7654