Public Works and Environmental Services

CONTACT INFORMATION: Our administrative offices are open to the public by appointment only at this time. Please call or email 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday
703-324-5033 TTY 711
12000 Government Center Parkway
Suite 448 Fairfax, VA 22035
Christopher S. Herrington
Director
Public works and environmental services

What We Do

The Department of Public Works and Environmental Services builds and maintains safe, reliable infrastructure that improves public health and provides a high quality of life for residents. The department’s four business areas – Solid Waste Management, Capital Facilities, Wastewater Management, and Stormwater Management – work together to create and preserve sustainable communities.

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Department Resources

Related Resources

Capital Projects
Recycling & Trash
Stormwater
Trees
Wastewater
Educational Resources

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News Stories

Photo of some trees with the sky as the backdrop.

Friends of Trees Awards Nominations
June 14, 2024
Fairfax County, VA – The Fairfax County Tree Commission announces nominations for its 2023-2024 Friends of Trees Awards open on June 14 and will close on July 31. Individuals and organizations may be nominated (or self-nominated) for various tree related projects or programs that have demonstrated outstanding conservation-based actions to preserve, protect or plant trees. Winners will be announced in fall 2024 with a celebration to follow.
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Celebrate National Waste and Recycling Workers Week
Celebrate National Waste and Recycling Workers Week with a Creative Contest
June 14, 2024
FAIRFAX, VA. – Show your appreciation for Fairfax County’s waste and recycling workers through a creative contest kicking off during National Waste and Recycling Workers Week, from June 17-21. Residents are invited to express their gratitude in imaginative ways to honor the hardworking men and women who keep our neighborhoods clean and safe.
Photo: reviving paints
Fairfax County Launches Pilot Program to Repurpose Latex Paint and Promote Job Training
June 13, 2024
Fairfax County, VA– A pilot program aimed at reducing the amount of latex paint entering the waste stream has been initiated by Fairfax County’s Department of Public Works and Environmental Services, in collaboration with Operation Stream Shield (OSS) and Pangea Markets, an organization dedicated to sustainability.

Featured Video

The Department of Public Works and Environmental Services in Fairfax County in collaboration with Operation Stream Shield crew from The Lamb Center rolled up their sleeves and dove into a spring cleaning mission. With the guidance of DPWES’ talented landscape architects, Suzie Foster and Sarah Roth, from the Stormwater Management Division, we focused on giving our native plants some much-needed TLC after the winter. Our efforts included deadheading spent blooms to make way for new growth and planting "live sticks" to encourage more greenery around our tranquil pond area. It's all about creating a thriving habitat for our local wildlife and a serene space for everyone to enjoy.

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Environmental Effects of Plastics

On EnviroPod

In Episode 45 of EnviroPod, host Bob DeMarco welcomes Matt Adams from the Solid Waste Management Program to discuss the critical topic of plastics and the environment. They explore what happens after a plastic container is dropped into the recycling bin, the importance of cleaning plastics before recycling, and the fate of plastics that end up in our environment. The episode delves into the effects of plastic waste on the natural world and human health, the significance of PFAs, and the benefits of source separation and reduction. Matt also discusses the changes observed since the bag t

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Water's Journey

Drinking Water - Wastewater - Stormwater

Clean water is our most important resource. To preserve water quality for future generations, we need to understand where water comes from, how we use it, and where it goes when it leaves our homes and businesses. 

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APWA Accredited Agency

APWA Accredited Agency logoThe Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services is accredited by the American Public Works Association. This prestigious national accreditation program recognizes public works agencies that comply with or exceed recommended best practices. The recognition affirms the department’s commitment to providing the highest quality services to Fairfax County residents.

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