Keep Lawn Waste Away From Streets, Storm Drains, and Ditches!
October 2022 Press Release
September 2022 Press Release
August 2022 Press Release
July 2022 Press Release
June 2022 Press Release
June 2022 Press Release
Improperly disposing of yard waste (leaves, grass clippings, branches), trash, or other debris near storm drains, in ditches, or on City streets is a big problem. During rain events, storm water runoff carries these pollutants into the nearest storm drain where they can eventually end up in surrounding lakes, rivers, or streams - posing a threat to aquatic life in these waterbodies. These pollutants can clog the City’s storm water drainage system, causing drainage concerns like flooding and property damages.
May 2022 Press Release
April 2022 Press Release
Pet waste is more than an annoyance for pedestrians, it contains bacteria, viruses, and parasites and poses a serious threat to our rivers, lakes, and streams. In addition to looking and smelling bad, animal waste can wash into drain inlets during storm events. Storm water, carrying the waste flows from the inlets through the drainage system and discharges into local creeks and rivers and eventually into McKellar Lake and the Mississippi River. In addition to increasing bacteria levels, decomposing animal waste demands a high level of oxygen from the water. By reducing the amount of available oxygen, aquatic life suffers.
March 2022 Press Release
February 2022 Press Release
January 2022 Press Release
Once Santa and his reindeer have headed home and Christmas tree needles are scattered on the floor, it’s time to toss the once fresh-smelling tree. The City of Memphis Storm Water Department wants to remind all residents to properly dispose their live Christmas trees and holiday greenery by either recycling or leaving them out for curbside pickup. Properly disposing and recycling live Christmas trees and holiday greenery keeps thousands of pounds of evergreens from being deposited into landfills.
December 2021 Press Release
The City of Memphis Storm Water Department encourages everyone to properly dispose of fats, oils, and greases. When poured down a sink drain, fats, oils, and greases cling to pipes beneath your house and in the City’s sanitary sewer system. This can cause sewage to backup into your home. Clogged pipes can become a health hazard by causing sewage overflows, which can discharge into the neighborhood and waterbodies.
