Cleaning crews work to avoid debris buildup in stormwater

COLUMBIA — The city of Columbia stormwater cleaning crew has been working after storms to clean up debris and excess materials that end up in drains.

"You know, maybe a leaf here or a leaf there," Utilities spokesperson Jason West said of the types of debris getting stuck. "You don't think that could cause an issue, but when it becomes four, five, 10 leaves and a few small little sticks, that can really dam up the pipes."

There are ways to avoid this debris getting there.

"If you're cutting down a tree or trimming tree branches, things like that, keeping them as bundled when you have your trash out and then a storm comes," West said. "Having it bagged and not just loose where it can fall into the street and then cause those drainage issues."

Stormwater is different from sewer lines, as