Leaf Season & Stormwater

Published on October 01, 2023

Leaf season is here. This means leaf litter is on our yards, streets, and curb lines. How is this related to stormwater? Leaf litter can release excess nutrients into stormwater and local waterbodies. The sources of nutrient pollution in urban stormwater vary, but one of the primary contributors is leaf litter. 

The City of Dunedin has a proactive approach to removing organic debris, including leaf litter, from our stormwater system before it reaches a local waterbody. The stormwater best management practices (BMPs) used to capture organic debris include our Continuous Deflection Systems (CDS) units, street sweeping, and Vactor truck operations. 

CDS units capture nutrient-rich vegetation and litter through a filtration screen system. Sediment settles to the bottom, and all organic debris and sediment are vacuumed quarterly by the City of Dunedin’s Public Services Stormwater staff.  

Street sweeping operations occur 6-8 times a year, averaging 4,800 to 6,400 miles a year. This maintenance program removes leaf litter from our streets and ensures that our streets are clean and safe. 

The City’s Stormwater staff proactively vacuum out all the stormwater pipes in the City throughout the year. This maintenance operation also prevents potential blockages from occurring in our stormwater system. Our Vactor truck is also used to remove nutrient-dense debris and litter from our stormwater system.

Our stormwater maintenance program is a tool used to reduce nutrient concentrations in our stormwater and surface waters. It provides public safety to our residents by removing any hazardous materials off the roads, ensuring our streets are safe for travel, and preserving our environment and community.  

Here’s an estimated breakdown of the amount of organic debris and trash removed from our stormwater BMPs from July 2021 through June 2022:

  • CDS: 53,480 lbs
  • Street sweeping: 466,520 lbs
  • Vactor Truck: 79,960 lbs

The City of Dunedin also has a Stormwater Compliance Ordinance that prohibits blowing leaf and grass litter into our stormwater system. The Stormwater Compliance Ordinance was created with the main goal of providing education to our residents, businesses, and guests on proper environmental habits for healthy waterways. 

These are some pieces of the puzzle. Resident participation and action are vital to protecting our urban stormwater resources. 

Here’s what you can do to help us protect our stormwater resources:

  • Blow grass clippings, sand, and leaves back into your yard
  • Rake, bag, and properly dispose of yard debris into the trash 
  • Reduce the use of fertilizer and consider composting your leaf litter 
  • If you witness an illicit discharge into our stormwater system, please contact Public Services at 727-298-3232.
Back to top