Now that fall has finally arrived, it’s time to deal with the leaves falling from the trees.

Ironton Mayor John Elam is asking people to bag leaves and set them out for the city to pick up. The city is asking that people don’t rake the leaves into the streets for a couple of reasons — the street sweeper can’t pick up leaves and leaves end up getting into the sewer system, which already has enough problems.

“We are very pleased with the response we have had,” he said. “Last year, people were picking and bagging their leaves up and we hope they continue that this year.”

Leaves getting into the wastewater pipes and can clog up sewer lines and get into the wastewater treatment plant.

“This is part of our nine minimum controls,” Elam said. “That’s part of the EPA mandate.”

Each residence is allowed up to 10 bags a week and the city sanitation department will pick them up on trash day.

Elam said the city would also send out a truck a couple of days a week to pick up bags of leaves.

The bags need to be the regular size garbage bags, not the extra large bags.

“What we would like to see is what people would put in as a trash can liner,” he said.

Since the city is has let the Friends of Ironton use the site where mulch and other organic yard material could be dropped off, the city is looking for a new spot for people to put yard debris.

“That will be announced shortly,” Elam said.

He said until it is announced, people can dispose of garbage, couches and other non-typical household waste at the city garage on Mondays and Thursdays from 1 to 3 p.m.

“If that doesn’t work for your schedule, you can pick up a dump permit to take refuse to Rumpke’s on old U.S. 52,” Elam said. Residents of Ironton can get the permit once a month and they must show a picture identification card and a city water bill.

Both options are free.

The city doesn’t accept contractor waste such as when someone tears down a garage or remodeling waste.