Keep Storm Drains Clear of Leaves: Village Officials

LAKE IN THE HILLS, IL — Storm drain grates direct storm water from the street into the underground pipe system. Leaves, litter, and other debris can easily clog up storm drains, leading to minor or even major flooding in streets.

The village of Lake in the Hills has offered the following tips for keeping leaves and litter out of the storm drainage system.

• Take a moment to clean the storm drain grates in your neighborhood. Make sure they are free of leaves, litter, and other debris, particularly when rainy weather is headed your way. Please dispose of debris properly.
• Check ditches that lead to drain grates. Make sure they are free of litter and/or other items that may inhibit proper drainage.
• Do not rake leaves or other organic refuse into the street or into a nearby ditch when doing yard work. This refuse only ends up blocking the drainage system. Furthermore, yard waste reduces oxygen in the water and adds materials that would not otherwise get into the water system.
• Do not clean walkways with a hose. Instead, sweep leaves, twigs, and grass clippings and place them in a compost pile or yard waste container. Otherwise, they may end up blocking the storm gate.
• Do not dump trash or pollutants into ditches or drain grates. Not only will these toxins clog the storm drain, they may severely damage local bodies of water.