Cambridge Urges Residents to Keep Streets, Waterways Clean This Fall

The City of Cambridge is asking residents to help keep the city's streets clean by picking up leaves and clearing storm drains.

In a news posting, the City of Cambridge Department of Public Works (DPW) reminded residents that leaves and yard waste left on streets and sidewalks increase stormwater pollution and can cause flooding by blocking storm drains. Additionally, fallen leaves, which contain phosphorus — a natural fertilizer — can pollute waterways when washed into storm drains, leading to harmful algal blooms and degraded water quality.

The department is asking residents to rake leaves early and often while keeping leaf piles away from storm drains. Residents can help reduce neighborhood pollution by clearing leaves from storm drains. They can also participate as Cambridge Storm Stewards to maintain storm drains near their homes. Signup information for Cambridge Storm Stewards is available online.

The Cambridge DPW offers free yard waste bags to residents who subscribe to the Forest Friends newsletter. Collection details are available on the city's website.

In addition, to help keep the city's streets clean, residents should move their vehicles on scheduled street sweeping days so street sweepers can effectively clear leaves and debris.

According to the DPW's media statement, last year, the department collected approximately 15,000 barrels of yard waste — roughly 833 tons — to prevent storm drain clogging and protect local rivers and streams.