Sandwich urges residents to keep leaves out of storm drains

The Town of Sandwich announced Oct. 21 a public outreach effort asking residents to properly manage leaves and yard waste this fall to protect local waterways.

According to the town, leaves, grass clippings, brush and branches left on streets and other paved surfaces can wash into storm drains during rainstorms. As this organic material decomposes, it releases nutrients into stormwater runoff, which can contribute to water pollution and fuel algal blooms. Accumulated debris can also clog storm drains and cause localized flooding.

The town is asking residents to take several steps: rake leaves away from streets, sidewalks and driveways rather than blowing or raking them into the roadway; mulch leaves into lawns or garden beds, or compost yard waste in suitable areas away from streams and other waterways; collect leaves and debris from paved surfaces and dispose of them through local yard waste disposal options; keep leaves and debris from accumulating around storm drains; and never dump yard waste into ditches, streams or other waterways.

The town explained that stormwater pollution happens when rainwater runs over roads, sidewalks and parking lots, picking up contaminants such as bacteria, chemicals, metals and nutrients that are then carried through storm drains into local waterways. Unlike wastewater, stormwater generally is not treated before reaching nearby water bodies.

The outreach supports the Town of Sandwich's stormwater education and pollution prevention efforts under its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System Stormwater Management Program.

Source: Town of Sandwich announcement, October 22, 2026.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the original announcement.