Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District No. 34 (FBMUD 34) recently spent over $75,000 to remove a clog in the upstream pond of Long Meadow Park. While yard clippings, tree leaves, and other yard waste are natural, they can still pollute our local waterways. If yard waste is dumped or washed into a storm drain, that drain may become clogged by the debris. This can cause flooding and other serious issues. Blowing, sweeping, or disposing of yard clippings down the storm drain can also be a violation of the District's rate order and the federal Clean Water Act.
Here are some helpful tips on how to properly dispose of your yard waste:
• Utilize your municipal yard waste collection service. Best Trash offers yard waste collection as part of the regular trash collection services.
• Take your yard waste to a local recycling center. Many services offer drop-off sites to dump your yard waste.
• Consider composting your yard waste. Composting has many benefits including enriching soil with nutrients, preventing erosion, conserving water, and improving the growth of your plants.
Never place yard waste or any other material into storm drains. When placed in storm drains, waste flows to the bayous, rivers, and Galveston Bay where they can ruin the natural balance of the ocean and harm fish. Contaminated stormwater from storm drains can affect vegetation, wildlife, commercial fisheries, and restrict swimming areas. It also creates the potential for flooding during heavy rain events.
Residents can help protect the local environment and downstream infrastructure from harmful contaminants in stormwater runoff by keeping storm drains clear of debris and pollutants.
If residents notice a blocked storm drain or see someone dumping pollutants near a storm drain, they should immediately contact the District Operator, Municipal Operations & Consulting.
Watch this informational video produced by the Association of Water Board Directors to learn more:
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