The City of Valparaiso has upgraded its leaf collection efforts with the addition of a new leaf vacuum that adds efficiency and speed. The new truck holds three times the volume of leaves, allowing collection to continue with fewer stops to empty the load. The truck also has an automated arm that allows operators to collect leaves from inside the truck while the truck continues moving. Longer passes with fewer stops, plus automation adds up to savings of time, fuel and manpower.
“The new truck is an excellent innovation for our leaf collection operation, adding efficiency and keeping operators out of the weather. We were able to add the new leaf collection apparatus to an existing flatbed truck. We can remove and store the leaf collector at the end of the season, putting the truck back into service for other uses year-round,” said Steve Poulos, Executive Director for Valparaiso City Services. The new truck is an addition to the existing fleet of 11 traditional leaf vacuums.
Leaf collection began in the Valparaiso on October 28 and will continue through December 6, weather permitting. The City has four leaf collection zones and will complete one zone before moving to the next and then repeating the cycle. Leaf collection crews are working 10-hour days, Monday through Saturday to expedite efforts. “Leaf collection is going well this season, thanks in part to the addition of our new and more efficient truck. But each year is different, driven by leaf fall patterns and weather. Last year all of the leaves fell at once, making it challenging to collect them all immediately. Some years an early snow will cover the leaves in moisture, making them difficult to vacuum and slowing us down,” said Poulos.
Learn Your Zone and See Updates
VCS has created an interactive website that allows residents to learn their zone as well as what zone the crews are currently working. To learn your zone, visit tinyurl.com/ValpoLeaf. To learn the current zone where crews are collecting leaves, visit the Valparaiso City Services – Public Works page at Valpo.us.
As a reminder:
- Rake the leaves to the right-of-way “curb”; not onto the street.
- Placing leaves onto city streets can cause street flooding, property damage and is a violation of City ordinance 53.18.
- Crews will not pick up loose leaf piles containing any sort of debris (rocks, sticks, garbage, etc.).
- Keep loose leaf piles away from obstacles, such as parked cars, mailboxes, etc.
- After collection ends on December 6, leaves will need to be placed in biodegradable lawn bags. Lawn bags will be picked up by brush trucks.
- For more information about leaf pick up, or other services of Public Works, visit the Valparaiso City Services - Public Works page at Valpo.us.
For questions regarding leaf collection, please contact Valparaiso City Services Customer Service at (219) 462-6174.