By Kolby R. LaMarche

Burlington will conduct its first-ever fall street sweeping operation next week as part of Operation Clean Sweep, a targeted effort to remove leaves and prevent nutrient pollution from entering Lake Champlain.

The campaign begins Wednesday, November 5 in Zone A (on the east side of North Avenue). 

On Thursday, November 6, crews will sweep Zone B (west side of North Avenue) and the newly established Zone H (Franklin Square area in the New North End).

“Adding a fall sweep is a new water quality effort,” the City said. “It will prevent more nutrient pollution into the Lake.” Fallen leaves, when washed into storm drains, contribute phosphorus—a primary cause of harmful algal blooms in Lake Champlain.

Sweepers will operate overnight from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Residents in scheduled zones must remove vehicles from the street during these hours. Vehicles left in the roadway will be towed to nearby public lots. The city advises calling Public Works at (802) 865-7187 to locate towed cars and to wait until sweeping is complete before re-parking.

A separate Fall Leaf Pickup program runs November 10–14. Residents should place leaves in biodegradable paper bags and set them curbside on their regular recycling day.

Residents can sign up for text or email alerts through VT-Alert at burlingtonvt.gov/btv-alerts to receive real-time updates on parking bans and sweeping progress.

Operation Clean Sweep has operated annually in spring for years. This fall expansion marks the first dedicated autumn campaign. The city urges residents not to rake leaves from sidewalks or greenbelts into the street, as this interferes with sweeping and creates safety hazards.

By clearing streets before winter, the program aims to reduce stormwater runoff, maintain drainage systems, and support Burlington’s long-term efforts to improve water quality in Lake Champlain.