Posted by By Kandy Meehan, President of Home Rental Services
We recently survived a Flash Flood warning in many parts of the Kansas City metro. Lenexa, Overland Park and Olathe were a few of the areas high on the list. They received anywhere from 2-6 inches of rain in just a few hours. The memorable quote we heard is that we experienced a month of rain in a single day. With that in mind, we wanted to share a public service announcement about keeping grass clippings out of storm drains.
Grass clippings and other yard waste blown into the street can cause localized flooding by clogging curb inlets and pipes. This can also cause high levels of nutrients in local creeks and streams, which can result in algae blooms. Keeping grass clippings on your yard can save money on fertilizer by returning nutrients back into the soil and save money on watering by building organic matter in your soil.
A Hazard for Motorcycles and Bicycles!
Grass clippings are slippery, reducing the traction of motorcycle and bicycle tires and compromising stability. In wet conditions, the danger amplifies, making it essential to address this seemingly harmless issue. Many people don’t realize that grass clippings, especially freshly cut, are considered as much a danger by authorities as gravel, sand, or other substances that can cause a motorcyclist to lose traction. In summer months, lawn trimmings can be as slippery to motorcycle riders as hitting winter ice on road surfaces.
What to do with grass clippings?
If your mower discharges grass clippings to the side, you can mow a couple of passes with your mower blowing towards your yard and not the street before mowing the rest of your yard. If you mulch when mowing, your mower will not blow grass out the side and you shouldn’t have to worry about grass blowing into the street… But if you get your leaf blower out to get the clippings off your driveway and sidewalk, be sure to blow them toward your yard and not into the street.
From the Lenexa, Kansas website:
Discharging anything into the storm drain system is illegal. Lenexa’s storm drain system is a complex series of inlets and pipes that eventually drains to ponds, lakes and streams. The gutters on your street are not treated for pollution, so it’s vital to make sure only rain goes down the drain.
The Federal Clean Water Act requires municipalities in urban areas to control water pollution. In 2006, we adopted Article 4-5-J, which specifically prohibits the discharge or dumping of pollutants into our storm drain system. The ordinance protects the health and safety of residents, preserves the economic and ecological value of our water resources and complies with the city’s NPDES permit. (Source)
Good luck out there!
It’s getting to be pretty hot during the day, so be sure to hydrate and protect yourself from the sun. It’s easy to get hot and tired when mowing, so hydrate and wear good SPF protection, especially if you mow after 10am. And hopefully this public service announcement will help continue to keep the storm drains free from grass clippings and yard waste. Thank you for your help!
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