June 15, 2004
Call City to Request Storm Debris Pickup

The Fort Worth Environmental Management Department is coordinating efforts to pick up thousands of tons of debris from early June storms.

Residents should call 817-392-EASY (3279) and request a pickup. Calling is the only way the city will know you need a pickup.

When you call, be prepared to describe the size of the pile and what needs collecting so the city can dispatch equipment and crews efficiently. Have your water bill account number handy for faster service. Because storm damage is widespread, it could take several weeks for crews to finish -- especially in hard-hit areas. Your patience is appreciated. Please do not call back repeatedly to check on your pickup request. Customer service representatives are not able to tell you when a pickup will be made.

Targeted Brush Pickup
In hardest hit areas-where tree damage is extensive and brush piles are very large, the city has dispatched special heavy-duty brush trucks. These targeted areas change daily based on the number of residential calls requesting pickups and new storm damage reported.

Regular Big Trash & Brush Pickup
While extra crews work in heavily damaged areas, regular bulky waste crews continue to make pickups on a call-in basis. All residents who have big trash or brush should call 817-392-EASY (3279) to request a pickup. Calling is the only way the city will know you need a pickup.

* If brush is the result of storm damage, let the customer service representative know so it won't count as one of your four free yearly pickups.

* Separate big trash from brush. Wood fencing may be stacked with brush.

* Do not place materials under overhead power lines or in front of parked cars; crews will not be able to collect them.

* No construction waste. By contract, crews cannot collect construction waste.

Expanded Yard Trimmings Pickup
Temporarily, the city will collect stacks of small, unbundled limbs as part of regular weekly yard trimmings pickup. Put small limbs at the curb in front of your home, and the city will attempt to pick up as many as possible. The limbs are picked up by people-not machines-so please cut limbs to a manageable size and stack them at least 2 feet away from garbage and recycling carts. Large stacks not picked up with weekly service should be called in to 817-392-EASY (3279) for a brush pickup.

Spoiled Food
Put spoiled food in garbage bags and place inside the brown garbage cart for regular garbage day pickup. Do not place bags containing spoiled food on the ground where animals can tear into them and create a health hazard.

Contractor Debris
This city is not able to perform work on private property or collect contractor-generated waste. Limbs and construction material such as roofing, dry wall, metal, garage doors, etc., from private homes or autos should be disposed of by the private contractor you hire.

Drop-Off Stations
If residents prefer, they may take tree limbs, damaged fencing, spoiled food in garbage bags or other debris to one of the city's free drop-off stations. Bring a recent water bill or driver's license to prove you live in Fort Worth. Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the following sites:

* 3224 Yuma Ave. (Southside: off East Berry Street, just east of > I-35)

* 2500 Brennan Ave. (Northside: off Decatur Avenue, south of 28th > street)

For a list of what's accepted at drop-off stations or questions about garbage, recycling, yard trimmings, brush pickup or damaged carts, call 817-392-EASY (3279) or visit www.fortworthgov.org/dem on the Web.