Street Sweepers and Leaves
The street sweepers you may see on your street are there to pick up the leaves that fall on the street and only those leaves that fall on the street. They are not equipped to remove a large amount of leaves, such as those raked intentionally from a yard into the street.
Leaves Will Clog Storm Drains
Trees and other vegetation next to streams which drop their leaves into and around the stream, are OK, but as with many things in life, too much can be a bad thing.
Leaves clog stormwater pipes and cause street flooding. Too much decomposing organic waste also adds excess nutrients into our streams and bay causing algal blooms which can be harmful to pets and humans. As algae dies, it uses oxygen in the water and can cause fish kills.
Remember, only rain down the storm drain!