Austin workers clear trash from drains

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Austin city workers are cleaning up plenty of trash from storm drains before the next storm hits.

"Trash can lids, styrofoam, bed, bedding," said Pete Reyes, street and drainage maintenance supervisor, who has been cleaning storm drains for 19 years.

Everyday, they find plastic bottles littering city storm drains. In 2009, workers removed more than 400 tons of debris.

"It's a constant, daily maintenance," said Reyes. "Because if we don't, it will be just as bad as when we first started this."

If city workers do not clean up all of the trash, it can clog up storm drains or it will go into creeks and eventually into the river.

"These storm drainage systems are meant to convey storm water directly to our creeks," said Stan Tindel, environmental compliance senior specialist.

The garbage that made it down storm drains, into creeks and then into Lady Bird Lake in 2009 totaled 270 tons. Workers tried to clean up every last bit of it. They are hoping people finally learn and dispose of their trash the right way instead of dumping it down city storm drains.

Reyes is just bracing for the next storm, since he knows he will be busy.

"All these cans and plastic stuff we find, we should not find," said Reyes. "People should dispose of it properly."

City workers said it is important to dispose of garbage and waste properly.