Lift a Rake to Save a Lake This Fall
Did you know that everyone in Rochester has waterfront property? Your yard and the water’s edge are
connected by the nearest storm drain or ditch. Autumn brings falling leaves and if they reach our
waterways they add phosphorous – the nutrient that turns our lakes and rivers green with algae. So this
fall, citizens are asked to step up their own raking and sweeping efforts in the name of clean water.
It is estimated that five 60-gallon garbage bags filled with leaves and organic matter equals about 1
pound of phosphorous and a single pound of phosphorous can yield up to 1,000 pounds of algae! When
those leaves decay, they also reduce the concentration of oxygen in water, adding stress to oxygen-
breathing aquatic animals.
What can you do about it? Rake it, sweep it and compost it! Help reduce pollution by cleaning leaves
and debris from curbs and storm drains in front of your property, especially if it looks like it will rain
before the street sweepers reach you. First, collect litter and throw it in your trash. Then either
compost the leaves at home or take them to the Olmsted County Compost Site (301 Silver Creek Road
NE, open daily from dawn to dusk). Leaves should never be disposed of in the street, ravines, ditches,
wetlands or water. With over 820 miles of streets to cover in Rochester, the City’s four street sweepers
can’t be everywhere at once. Please do your part to protect Rochester’s waterways.
The Freshwater Society is promoting fall leaf cleanup programs statewide as part of 2010 – The Year of
Water, and will be collecting data from these events. Participants can learn more about this program
and how to submit their numbers to the statewide totals at: www.rochesterstormwater.com in the
Happenings Page.
Allison Plute
Storm Water Educator
City of Rochester Public Works Department
Room 108, City Hall
201 4th Street SE
Rochester, MN 55904
507-328-2440
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