July 21, 2023 — In response to an extreme weather event on July 20, the City is preparing to provide additional resources to assist residents in clearing debris related to a large volume of downed and damaged trees.
Over the next week City forestry crews will be deployed across the community, removing any large trees, or tree limbs, from boulevard areas between the sidewalk and roadway.
The City is also scheduling additional brush collection via its contractors to further assist residents. On Saturday and Sunday of this week, City contractors will provide curbside brush collection to the hardest hit areas. Contractors will deliver curbside brush collection city wide on the weekend of July 29 and 30. Residents are asked to have brush properly bundled and placed at the curb by limiting bundles to brush under four inches in diameter and four feet in length.
Please separate smaller brush for contractor collection from larger items for removal from the boulevard by City forestry crews. For larger items over four inches in diameter that can not be bundled for brush pickup please, if possible, trim to a length under nine feet to assist forestry crews, in addition to separating from brush.
To further assist residents in removal of brush and compostable storm debris, the City’s Compost Site will be opened on Sunday July 23 and Sunday July 30, in addition to regular Saturday hours. Additional staff will be on site. Residential drop off for brush and yard waste remain free of charge. The City is also temporarily waiving restrictions on diameter of accepted brush.
Instances of downed or damaged trees, including hanging limbs, on City property can be reported via the City’s online contact form at https://forms.sarnia.ca/Contact-Us, or by calling 519-332-0330.
City forestry crews continue to prioritize clearing of roadways, working with Bluewater Power to clear areas where trees remain in contact with downed power lines. The public are reminded to stay clear of downed power lines.