The City of Ark City says the rain has been great for our lawns… but not so great for storm drains when grass clippings end up in the street. Did you know grass clippings can cause problems for our stormwater system? When clippings are left in the street or blown into gutters, they can wash into storm drains during rainfall. These drains are part of the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4), which carries water directly to local waterways without treatment. This can lead to: • Clogged storm drain inlets, increasing the risk of street flooding • Excess nutrients in waterways, which can contribute to algae growth • Reduced water quality for people, pets, and wildlife.What you can do: • Keep grass clippings on your lawn where they can naturally decompose • Sweep or blow clippings away from streets and sidewalks • Never place yard waste in storm drains A few simple steps can help keep Arkansas City’s drainage system working properly and protect our local waterways.
