The Department of Public Works (DPW) is once again providing a valuable, FREE service to the residents of Muscatine by sending out vacuum trucks to collect piles of leaves placed curbside during the Fall Leaf Collection Program.
City leaf vacuum trucks are canvassing the streets of Muscatine in each City Zone (see map), and moving from zone to zone as the effort continues. DPW is not dedicating specific days to each zone but will complete a cycle in one zone and then move to the next zone. DPW will work through all eight zones and repeat the process as long as the weather holds.
Parked cars can hamper leaf collection efforts, so drivers are asked to be aware and avoid parking near leaf piles. If the piles are blocked by parked vehicles they will be bypassed and not collected until the trucks return to that zone as long as vehicles are moved away from the leaf piles.
Residents are also asked to avoid mixing trash, branches, or other yard waste with their leaf piles as the vacuum cannot pick these items up.
As we move further into fall, the possibility of inclement weather increases. Leaf collection operations may be postponed as snow and ice control take priority.
Equipment breakdowns and heaving rains can slow progress, and snowstorms can curtail the program as snow removal takes priority. If that happens, leaf collection will be suspended until the spring.
Here are some additional guidelines for leaf collection:
- Leaves should be placed near, but not beyond, the curb and should be within reach of the leaf vacuum.
- Leaves should be free of tree branches and twigs as they can cause the leaf vacuums to clog up.
- All leaves must be placed outside of fenced areas.
- Leaves are not to be placed in the street to avoid clogging storm drains.
- Leaves should not be placed in the street or extend into traffic lanes, thereby creating traffic hazards.
- Leaves should not be placed around obstacles such as mailbox posts, sign posts, and light poles.
- Crews will not pick up leaves mixed with debris, logs, branches, rocks, plastic, metal or glass containers, or any other types of refuse.
- Leaves should not be placed on City cul-de-sacs, vacant land, or city property except on the public right-of-way along the curb/shoulder area.
For more information, contact the Department of Public Works at 563-263-8933.