Leaf pickup in the City of Washington is expected to be completed by the end of this week, later than was previously expected.

Maintenance and Construction Superintendent JJ Bell says they usually complete the city leaf vacuum program on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, but varying patterns of leaf fall and precipitation delayed them a couple weeks. Bell says the leaf vacuum crew will be going around town one last time this week with expected completion for this weekend. Bell says these leaves and yard waste turn into valuable organic material at the city’s wastewater treatment plant and yard waste center, “The leaves do turn into dirt which is compost out there that residents are welcome to whenever they have time to go out there. We discourage anybody hauling semi loads out of there, but trailer loads or maybe a dump truck or five gallon buckets or whatever. They need some extra dirt for their garden or level out a hole in their yard they’re more than welcome to go get the compost.”

Bell says any residents who still have leaves can rake them to the front of their property, and he advises the public not to park on the street in front of these piles. After the city cleanup is complete, residents can drop off leaves and other yard waste at the Wastewater Treatment Plant open from 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday.