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Fairfax County, Virginia

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703-324-5033
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DPWESPublic-Info-Office@fairfaxcounty.gov

12000 Government Center Parkway
Suite 448 Fairfax, VA 22035

Sharon North,
Public Information Officer

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The work never stops for county recycle collectors!

The
May 13, 2022
At the crack of dawn each day roughly eight collection crews are dispatched out around Fairfax County to pick-up thousands of tons of recycle. On a typical day a crew may collect recyclable items from up to 1,500 homes.
The work never stops for county recycle collectors!

Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services Recognizes National Public Works Week with Thousands of Colleagues

Fairfax
May 13, 2022
More than 900 employees in the Fairfax County DPWES will join over 30,000 colleagues throughout the U.S. and Canada to recognize National Public Works Week from May 15 through May 21.
Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services Recognizes National Public Works Week with Thousands of Colleagues

Mentorship, Community, and Learning: Environmental Field Day 2022

Mentorship,
May 9, 2022
Centreville Environmental Field Day is a first-year mentorship program started in 2022. It is aimed at creating relationships between environmental professional mentors, high school students, and elementary school students. The mentors assisted Advanced Placement Environmental Science students in creating hands-on activities for elementary school students so they can learn more about the…
Mentorship, Community, and Learning: Environmental Field Day 2022

Arbor Day Hooray!

Arbor
May 2, 2022
Nestled in the woods off Union Hill Road in Clifton on 80 tree-filled acres of land sits Liberty Middle School. Despite all the trees and foliage surrounding it, the school’s commitment to the environment means they’re getting even more.
Arbor Day Hooray!

Flood Awareness Week 2022 Recognized in Countywide Cross-Jurisdictional Campaign

Flood
March 10, 2022
FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. – In the United States flooding is the most common and costly natural disaster and is becoming more frequent with climate change. As we head into the typical rainy season, Fairfax County and Arlington County are teaming up during Flood Awareness Week to get out key messages about the importance of being informed and prepared.
Flood Awareness Week 2022 Recognized in Countywide Cross-Jurisdictional Campaign

Final Pipe Repair Work to Begin in Early January in Sugarland Run Stream Valley Park

Final
December 28, 2021
In early January crews will mobilize to begin the major portion of work to repair a segment of broken pipe in the Sugarland Run Stream that created a sewage leak.
Final Pipe Repair Work to Begin in Early January in Sugarland Run Stream Valley Park

Hours of Operation Changing at I-95 Landfill Complex and I-66 Transfer Station

Hours
December 20, 2021
FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. – The new year will usher in extended operating hours for residents to drop off their trash, recyclables, and various specialty wastes (e.g., used oil, old batteries, scrap metal) at the I-66 Transfer Station and the I-95 Landfill Complex. The new hours taking effect on January 1, 2022, are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Weekend hours, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., will remain…
Hours of Operation Changing at I-95 Landfill Complex and I-66 Transfer Station

Fairfax County Disinfecting Wastewater with New Award-Winning Ultraviolet Process at Noman M. Cole, Jr. Pollution Control Plant

Fairfax
November 9, 2021
FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. – A new process designed to disinfect treated wastewater using ultraviolet lights (UV) is now operating at the Noman M. Cole, Jr. Pollution Control Plant in Lorton. The UV process will replace the existing chemical (sodium hypochlorite) disinfection system. The project resulted in the first Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure Envision Gold Award achieved by Fairfax County.…
Fairfax County Disinfecting Wastewater with New Award-Winning Ultraviolet Process at Noman M. Cole, Jr. Pollution Control Plant

County Kicking Off America Recycles Day with a Poster Contest

County
October 27, 2021
America Recycles Day celebrations have taken place in communities across the country every November 15 since 1994. The goal is to stress the importance of recycling by using activities and events to encourage recycling efforts, promote the proper ways to recycle and to build consumer demand for recycled products.
County Kicking Off America Recycles Day with a Poster Contest

DPWES Business Areas and Employees Recognized with Certificates and Appointments

DPWES
August 20, 2021
FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. - It has been a week filled with acknowledgements and recognition for the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES). The Solid Waste Management Program (SWMP) received a letter and certificate from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) approving its acceptance as a Virginia Environmental Excellence Program Sustainability Partner (VEEP SP)…
DPWES Business Areas and Employees Recognized with Certificates and Appointments

August is National Water Quality Month

August
August 20, 2021
Fairfax County, Va. – National Water Quality Month is celebrated annually with regional Northern Virginia partners to acknowledge this is the perfect time to learn how important water is to people world-wide. It is also an opportunity to educate residents, partners and ourselves about the importance of clean, fresh water.
August is National Water Quality Month

Fairfax County Installing Pipe Liners that Involve No Excavation and Reduce Emissions

Fairfax
August 5, 2021
New sewer pipe liners are being installed in areas of the county since the Wastewater Collection Division (WCD) of the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES) has resumed full operations of its Sewer Rehabilitation Program.
Fairfax County Installing Pipe Liners that Involve No Excavation and Reduce Emissions

Lake Accotink Dredging Public Meetings and Comment Option for Residents

Lake
July 27, 2021
Two meetings are planned to gather public input and present the alternative analysis report to residents regarding the Lake Accotink Dredging Project.
Lake Accotink Dredging Public Meetings and Comment Option for Residents

Herrington Begins as Department of Public Works and Environmental Services Director

Herrington
July 21, 2021
Christopher S. Herrington began his appointment as director of the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES) on Monday, July 12. He succeeds Randy Bartlett, who retired last month.
Herrington Begins as Department of Public Works and Environmental Services Director

Floodplain Management Plan Progress Report 2021 Available

Floodplain
July 19, 2021
The Floodplain Management Plan Progress Report, July 2021 is available to the public and media. The progress report is part of the Northern Virginia Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan and is published annually by the staff of the Stormwater Planning Division, Department of Public Works and Environmental Services, Fairfax County.
Floodplain Management Plan Progress Report 2021 Available

Fairfax County Farmers Market Composting Pilot Program Expanding to Several Farmers Markets

Fairfax
June 22, 2021
Fairfax County, Va. – County residents interested in composting food scraps will now have several additional convenient drop-off locations. The Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES) and the Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) have been working together to get the Farmers Market Composting pilot program expanded.
Fairfax County Farmers Market Composting Pilot Program Expanding to Several Farmers Markets

Community Meetings Original Mt. Vernon High School Renovation

Community
June 22, 2021
Fairfax County, VA - Community meetings are planned for Thursday, June 24, 2021 and Monday, June 28 to provide updates on the Original Mount Vernon High School Renovation and Adaptive Reuse Project.
Community Meetings Original Mt. Vernon High School Renovation

NACo and BUBBA Awards Presented to the Department of Public works and Environmental Services

NACo
June 1, 2021
Fairfax County, Va. – The National Association of Counties (NACo) has presented the Watershed Education and Outreach (WEO) program with the 2021 Achievement Award for its program “ECO Video Series” in the Children and Youth category. WEO employees, in collaboration with Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), developed the group of video-learning materials on stream ecology and water quality. WEO is…
NACo and BUBBA Awards Presented to the Department of Public works and Environmental Services

So-Called Flushable Wipes Aren’t Flushable

So-Called
May 25, 2021
Fairfax County, VA – Protect your pipes – Don’t flush wipes. The wipes being used for cleaning, including the so-called “flushable’ wipes are not flushable. Unlike toilet paper, they do not break down. Put used wipes in the trash.
So-Called Flushable Wipes Aren’t Flushable

Early Season Guidance for Draining Swimming Pools

Early
May 12, 2021
Draining swimming pool water incorrectly may harm aquatic life, flood neighboring properties and violate the Stormwater Management Ordinance of the Fairfax County Code. This includes drainage from above ground pools.
Early Season Guidance for Draining Swimming Pools

Fairfax County Seeks Requests for Expressions of Interest (RFI) at Workhouse Campus

Fairfax
April 14, 2021
The county seeks to explore the lease potential of two vacant and underutilized buildings known as W13 and W15 on the 50-acre Workhouse Campus located at 9514 and 9517 Workhouse Way, Lorton, VA. The two buildings, at 4,500 square feet each, will be renovated and available for tenant fit out in the fall of 2021. The site between the structures will also be improved with dining plazas and native…
Fairfax County Seeks Requests for Expressions of Interest (RFI) at Workhouse Campus

Controlling and Managing Invasive Plants

Controlling
April 7, 2021
Invasive plants are those that are not native to Fairfax County or Northern Virginia. They are brought into the area intentionally or unintentionally. These plants are characterized by unrestrained growth due to a lack of natural enemies such as pests and predators. Methods for controlling and managing invasive plants can be physical, cultural, or chemical.
Controlling and Managing Invasive Plants

Department of Public Works and Environmental Services Leads APWA Awards with Wins in 8 Major Categories

Department
February 9, 2021
The Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the American Public Works Association (APWA) has announced the winners of its annual Mid-Atlantic Region awards and Fairfax County’s Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES) is bringing home eight of them, five for Project of the Year and three honorable mentions.
Department of Public Works and Environmental Services Leads APWA Awards with Wins in 8 Major Categories

Orange Striped Oakworm

Orange
August 27, 2020
This caterpillar is black and hairless with eight narrow orange or yellow stripes on its back. It is among the caterpillar look-a-likes that are common to Fairfax County, often mistaken for the spongy moth, and is a native pest that usually does not pose a threat to trees in Fairfax County.
Orange Striped Oakworm

What are Invasive Plants?

What
October 31, 2019
A plant is a plant, right? Unfortunately, not all plants are universally beneficial. You may have heard of kudzu, an invasive known as the “vine that ate the south.” When plants are imported from other parts of the world, either accidentally or on purpose, they have the chance to escape into the natural environment.
What are Invasive Plants?
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