Berkeley, California (Friday, October 12, 2007) – The recent cool weather has reminded us that winter is on its way, and All Storm Day is a great opportunity for residents to pick up sand bags and join City crews in cleaning the storm drains.

On Saturday, October 20, 2007, the City of Berkeley will deploy dozens of Public Works and Parks maintenance crews members to do inlet and outlet cleaning, leaf removal and sand bag preparation. Crews will start about 7:30 a.m., and residents will recognize them by their “Storm Crew” T-shirts. 

There are several strategies that residents, especially those in flood-prone areas, can do, including:

Sandbags: Sandbags will be available at the City’s Corporation Yard at 1326 Allston Way from 8 a.m. to noon on October 20, 2007.

Leaf removal: Street sweeping is critical during fall, and residents and businesses can help by carefully observing street sweeping days and not parking on those blocks at the designated times.  

It's the City's goal to clean 80 percent of Berkeley's approximately 7,000 storm drain pipes by mid-November. Field crews will also be on special alert to check out any signs of damaged storm drains that need repairs. This program is in addition to the City’s regular street and storm drain cleaning schedule.  Each year the routine street cleaning program has 3-person crews working on vector (leaf and debris removal) trucks.  In early fall, staffing is increased to two 6-person crews working five days a week. 

Leaves, vegetation growing around the drains, and other accumulated debris are the main culprits of clogged storm drains. 

###