Fallen leaves may seem harmless but when left on streets, they can do serious damage to our water. In fact, leaves and other organic debris cause more harm to surface water than fertilizers, pesticides or even motor oil.
“Leaf litter is packed with nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen, the same ingredients found in fertilizer,” said Water Resource Specialist Jack Distel. “When leaves collect on streets and wash into storm drains, they end up in lakes and ponds. That fuels algae blooms and hurts water quality.”
This fall, do your part to protect Bloomington’s waterways:
Keep streets clear. Don’t sweep or blow leaves into the road. It’s against City Code.
Bag it up. Collect leaves in compostable bags for yard waste pick-up.
Compost or mulch. Shred leaves with a mower and use them around trees and gardens as natural mulch.
