photo by: Adobe Stock

Grass clippings that wind up n the street make their way into the city's stormwater system, causing potential problems in area waterways.

As lawn-mowing season kicks into high gear, the City of Lawrence is urging residents to be mindful of how their yard work affects municipal storm drains and area waterways.

In particular, the Municipal Services & Operations Department is reminding residents that grass clippings and other material should never be blown or swept onto the street. Anything in the street goes into storm drains — Lawrence has over 400 miles of stormwater pipes — then flows, untreated, directly into streams, reservoirs and the Kansas River.

“Stormwater isn’t filtered at a treatment plant like the City’s wastewater. That means when grass clippings, leaves, fertilizer, or pet waste end up in the street or near storm drains, they wash into our waterways during the next rainfall,” a city news release said. “These pollutants can fuel harmful algae blooms, reduce water quality, and damage aquatic ecosystems.”

A single freshly mowed lawn can release up to 100 pounds of algae-causing nutrients if those grass clippings make their way into nearby lakes or ponds, the release said.

To help protect waterways, the city said to:

• Always blow or sweep clippings back onto your lawn, never into the street.

• Mulch-mow your yard to naturally fertilize it and reduce runoff.

• Use fertilizers and lawn chemicals sparingly and according to label instructions.

• Compost yard waste or use the city’s yard waste collection service.

• Plant native species and install rain gardens to help manage stormwater at the source.

“We all have a part to play in protecting our water,” said Michael Leos, MSO’s communications specialist, in the release. “These small actions–like keeping grass clippings out of the street–can have a big impact when everyone does their part.”

Residents can learn more about proper yard care and stormwater management at lawrenceks.org/mso/stormwater.