'Everybody loves the vacuum': Victoria fires up leaf-sucking trucks
In a time-honoured tradition, the City of Victoria is deploying teams to clean up the city's streets of leaves and prepare for the winter ahead.
It's a job that sucks, literally. The city's leaf collection program is in full swing, and residents may have noticed a municipal truck with an industrial vacuum in tow driving through the city's neighbourhoods.
"Everybody loves the vacuum," said Derrick Newman, Victoria's assistant director of parks and open spaces.
The city's leaf-collection truck is shown. (CTV News)
"You know, we get a lot of positive responses and thumbs up and honks," he said.
The city has a crew of about 15 workers who drive four trucks equipped with high-powered industrial vacuums.
The equipment can suck up 5.5 cubic metres of leaves at a time.
Each year, the city gathers about 7,000 tonnes of leaves from city streets.
"[It's] to make sure that the storm drains are cleared to prevent flooding," said Newman.
"Also for the roadways so cyclists and motorists have a clear spot to operate their vehicles," he said.
Once the leaves are collected, they're composted and turned into mulch that's repurposed for city parks, as well as neighbourhood organizations and residential gardens.
The city sends out leaflets to neighbourhoods to notify them of when the vacuum truck is supposed to arrive. The municipality asks that people rake leaves in piles for the trucks to collect.
"We ask [residents] that they leave the leaves neatly organized on their lawns or the boulevards for crews to come by and pick up," said Newman.
"The program is limited to leaves only, so we don't collect branches or other materials."
Residents can also check the city's website for specific routes and suction schedule dates.
If you need to arrange another time for your leaves to get picked up, you can call the city's parks office to see if any other time is available.
"These crews, they run five to six days a week through all weather conditions," said Newman.
"Their tireless efforts help to make the city clean and safe for everyone," he said.
The leaf-collection program runs until January. Residents can also collect leaves themselves and drop them off at Victoria's public works yard at 417 Garbally Rd. on Saturdays.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Iran fires air defence batteries in provinces as explosions heard near Isfahan
Iran fired air defence batteries early Friday morning as explosions could be heard near a major air base near Isfahan, raising fears of a possible Israeli strike following Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.