Whitewater city officials recently announced that a city ordinance prohibits residents from “blowing or depositing” grass clippings into any public street.

According to information released, the reasons for the ordinance are three-fold:

• Grass clippings, leaves, and other lawn debris can clog storm drains, resulting in street and private property flooding.

• Storm drains flow directly to local lakes untreated. Grass clippings add unnecessary nutrients, which help feed harmful algae blooms.

• Clippings can make the street slippery and hazardous for bicyclists and motorcyclists.

The release advises those who use a discharging mower to point the blower toward their property, away from the street, to prevent clippings from leaving the property-owner’s lawn.

A bag, attached to the mower to collect clippings, also is advised. Clippings collected in bags may not be placed for disposal in the resident’s garbage tote, but instead should be composted on the resident’s property or brought to the city’s compost site, 599 N. Jefferson St., Whitewater.   

Additionally, residents are reminded to use a blower, broom or rake to clean up any grass clippings or debris that may have inadvertently been left in the street, sidewalk or storm drain.

Those with questions are encouraged to contact the city’s Director of Public Works Brad Marquardt. The director’s phone number and email address is here: https://www.whitewater-wi.gov/directory.aspx?EID=48.

John’s Disposal offers holiday schedule

Information released by city officials notes that John’s Disposal will be closed, Monday, May 27, in observance of Memorial Day.

Residents wil experience garbage pickup scheduling changes as follow:

•  Monday’s route is moved to Tuesday.

• Tuesday’s route is moved to Wednesday.

• Wednesday’s route is moved to Thursday.

• Thursday’s route is moved to Friday.

• Friday’s route is moved to Saturday.

Those with questions are encouraged to contact John’s Disposal directly by phone: 262-473-4700 or email: office@johnsdisposal.com.

Walworth County Business and Agriculture Clean Sweep to be held June 21

Walworth County will be holding a Business and Agriculture Clean Sweep event Friday, June 21.

According to information released by city of Whitewater officials, pre- registration for the event is required.

More information about the event can be obtained by contacting county officials by phone: 262-741-3116, the release read.