Department of Public Works (DPW) crews are making their way through each City zone and are currently working in areas that traditionally have the heaviest number of leaves fallen and raked to the curb. DPW crews were wrapping up work in Zone 6 Wednesday, November 20, and will then move to Zone 7.
Three trucks are currently making the circuit with a fourth truck scheduled to be added on Monday. The large number of leaves raked to the curb by residents have slowed down the leaf collection effort, but DPW officials hope to return to a one zone a day schedule next week. DPW crews will continue to collect leaves through mid-December as long as the weather holds. Citizens can receive a daily update on what zone the crews are working in by calling (563) 272-2506 Extension 149.
This is a FREE service to the residents of Muscatine with City leaf vacuum trucks canvassing each City Zone (see map). DPW did not dedicate specific days to each zone but will work through all eight zones and repeat the process as long as the weather holds.
Parked cars can hamper leaf collection efforts with drivers asked to avoid parking near leaf piles during working hours (7 a.m.-4 p.m.). If the piles are blocked by parked vehicles they will be bypassed and not collected until the trucks return to that zone and the vehicles are moved away from the 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.
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, click the following link (LEAF COLLECTION) or contact the Department of Public Works at 563-263-8933.
