Catch basins (also known as storm drains) are an often overlooked part of the District’s infrastructure. They are usually located within a curb and are a vital part of flood control, allowing water to quickly drain from the streets. If these basins get clogged by falling leaves, trash or other debris, flooding may result.

Many catch basins in the District are connected to the storm sewers, which may drain directly into area waterways. Others connect to combined sewers and, if clogged, may cause sewer backups or overflows.

Please help keep catch basins clear by properly collecting and disposing of fallen leaves. Please don’t rake leaves into the street. Instead, you can use them as mulch to reduce weeds, conserve moisture and moderate soil temperatures in your garden or flower beds. Or you can bag them up for recycling.

Beginning Monday, November 5, the DC Department of Public Works (DPW) will collect bagged leaves from the curbside treebox space. These leaves will be recycled. Bagged leaves placed in the alley where trash and recycling are placed will be collected with the trash as space in the truck permits. DPW will collect up to five bags per week of yard waste from residences that receive DPW trash and recycling collection services. Yard waste is bagged leaves, grass clippings, weeds, bulbs, twigs, pine cones, and uprooted plants. Please visit http://1.usa.gov/OpwPEc or call (202) 645-8245 for more information, or follow this schedule:
• Once-a-week trash/recycling customers should put bagged and bundled yard waste where their trash is collected at the same time the trash container is placed.
• Twice-a-week trash/recycling customers should put their yard waste out with the trash on their second collection day.