The Public Works Department maintains the stormwater system that collects and safely discharges rain from storms. This system includes manholes, curb inlets, field inlets and ditches as some of the features maintained. Each year, City crews work to ensure the system is unclogged and functioning.
This system is a recognized MS4 (Municipal Separate Stormwater System) by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR). With this distinction, the City operates under a Missouri State Operating Permit and under that permit is the process of developing and implementing a Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP). The following information is a work in progress as this plan is being developed through 2025 in cooperation with MDNR.
Yard Waste Management
Each year, the City’s stormwater system receives water that falls on all residents that is then collected and eventually discharges into the Missouri River. This stormwater can pick up organic materials from yards that are typically twigs, branches, leaves and grass in nature. While these items can cause a mechanical issue of backing up the stormwater system, they eventually decompose, which can cause a negative impact on our local ecosystem. Further information can be found from the Environmental Protection Agency (PDF link) on some of these pollutants.
Due to these issues, residents are encouraged to participate in the following activities:
- Composting Leaves: Gathering up leaves, grass clipping, or other yard waste can help turn your yard waste into a great fertilizer or planting medium for your garden and keep it from entering the storm sewer.
- Mulching Leaves: By breaking down leaves by taking a mower over your yard you can re-introduce the material into your lawn to keep the nutrients in your soil and has the added benefit of reducing crabgrass and dandelions you will have in the spring. Mulched leaves can also be introduced into your garden to help extend growing seasons of some plants and help protect against weeds.
- Collect Leaves: Avoid blowing leaves into the street or letting nature naturally blow them into the street to enter the storm water system. This will help keep nutrients in your yard as well as a pollutant out of our waters.
To help with these efforts, the City offers a yard waste drop-off service. For 4-6 weeks following the spring cleanup in April and the fall cleanup in October, Parkville residents can drop off yard waste at no charge at 6305 NW River Park Drive anytime Monday through Friday (except holidays) between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Yard waste does not have to be bagged. Parkville residents only. Proof of residency is required. Sorry, no businesses.
