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Public Works and Environmental Services

Fairfax County, Virginia

CONTACT INFORMATION: Our administrative offices are open 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Mon - Fri

703-324-5033
TTY 711

DPWESPublic-Info-Office@fairfaxcounty.gov

12000 Government Center Parkway
Suite 448 Fairfax, VA 22035

Sharon North,
Public Information Officer

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June 6 is National Cover Your Load Day

June
May 15, 2023
Uncovered loads can easily fall off or fly out of a car, truck, or trailer while being transported. This debris can be extremely dangerous. It also leads to pollution on the roadside.
June 6 is National Cover Your Load Day

Difficult Run Stream and Trail Restoration Project Set to Begin this Summer

Difficult
May 2, 2023
Those who utilize the walking trails behind Fairfax County Government Center will need to find a new route from this summer through fall 2024, as construction is set to begin on the Difficult Run tributaries and basins.
Difficult Run Stream and Trail Restoration Project Set to Begin this Summer

Drop-off Hours Changing for Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Waste

Drop-off
April 17, 2023
FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. – On May 1 the hours are changing at the I-66 Transfer Station and the I-95 Landfill Complex for dropping off household hazardous waste (HHW) and electronics waste (E-waste).
Drop-off Hours Changing for Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Waste

Help Prevent the Spread of Trapa Bispinosa this Spring

Help
April 11, 2023
Since 2014, the aquatic invasive species known as Trapa bispinosa has spread to more than 100 known locations around Fairfax County. The county is asking for help detecting, reporting and eradicating the invasive plant as spring is the peak season in which it rapidly spreads.
Help Prevent the Spread of Trapa Bispinosa this Spring

Compost Outpost Pilot Program Operating at I-66 Transfer Station

Compost
March 30, 2023
FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. – Two 20 feet long sea containers have been placed at the I-66 Transfer Station for the county’s new Compost Outpost pilot program. It is designed to create optimal conditions for composting and is a test facility to demonstrate small-scale, decentralized, organics processing.
Compost Outpost Pilot Program Operating at I-66 Transfer Station

Virginia Flood Awareness Week 2023 Points to Preparation in County-wide Multi-Jurisdictional Campaign

Virginia
March 9, 2023
FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA - Weather-related flooding is the most common and costly natural disaster in Fairfax County and across the United States. It only takes an inch of water to cause $25,000 damage inside a home. Yet only 3% of Virginians have flood insurance.
Virginia Flood Awareness Week 2023 Points to Preparation in County-wide Multi-Jurisdictional Campaign

DPWES Wins Several Project of the Year and Honorable Mentions in Regional APWA Awards

DPWES
February 14, 2023
FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. – The Mid-Atlantic Chapter Regional Awards for the American Public Works Association brought big wins for the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services. Between Project of the Year awards and Honorable Mentions there was a combined total of 10 recognitions, including three in the organizations new Community Engagement category.
DPWES Wins Several Project of the Year and Honorable Mentions in Regional APWA Awards

Two Meetings Scheduled to Discuss Lake Accotink Dredging Project

Two
February 10, 2023
FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. – A pair of meetings has been scheduled to discuss the latest developments for the Lake Accotink Dredging Project in Braddock District.
Two Meetings Scheduled to Discuss Lake Accotink Dredging Project

Top Fairfax County Purple Can Club Glass Recycling Location

Top
February 9, 2023
In 2022 Fairfax County's Purple Can Club program collected more than 5,231 tons of glass. Since the start of the program in 2019 more than 14,000 tons of glass have been recycled and diverted away from the landfill.
Top Fairfax County Purple Can Club Glass Recycling Location

Beech Leaf Disease Confirmed in Fairfax County

Beech
January 13, 2023
FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. – If the leaves of beech tree saplings have dark green stripes in the veins, or if more mature trees have reduced foliage, they may be showing signs of beech leaf disease (BLD). Infected trees may also exhibit puckered, cupped or distorted leaves.
Beech Leaf Disease Confirmed in Fairfax County

Capital Projects Public Website Gets Refreshed

Capital
January 9, 2023
The DPWES Capital Projects website has a new look and improved functionality. With our visitors in mind, we have made some enhancement changes.
Capital Projects Public Website Gets Refreshed

Amendments Made to Fairfax County Sanitary Sewer Policy for Second Time Since 1980

Amendments
January 3, 2023
Significant changes have been made to the county's Sanitary Sewer Policy for only the second time since it was adopted 42 years ago. The Department of Public Works and Environmental Services Wastewater Planning and Monitoring Division (WPMD) spearheaded the revisions. "The policy facilitates community and economic development as envisioned by the County's Comprehensive Plan and allows the cost of…
Amendments Made to Fairfax County Sanitary Sewer Policy for Second Time Since 1980

2021 – 2022 Friends of Trees Awards Announced by Fairfax County Tree Commission

2021
December 28, 2022
The Fairfax County Tree Commission announces the winners of its 2021-2022 Friends of Trees Awards. Twelve county individuals and groups are being recognized as champions of the county’s urban forest. A recognition ceremony will be held on January 5, 2023 at the Tree Commission’s virtual meeting.
2021 – 2022 Friends of Trees Awards Announced by Fairfax County Tree Commission

Noman Cole Pollution Control Plant Goes Off the Grid to Help Stop Blackout 'Cold'

Noman
December 28, 2022
Noman Cole Pollution Control Plant staff switched on its five large electricity generators and “islanded” off of the electric power grid, responding to the Christmas Eve Cold Snap emergency and protecting the community from more significant blackouts.
Noman Cole Pollution Control Plant Goes Off the Grid to Help Stop Blackout 'Cold'

Fairfax County Working to Remediate Leaf Collection Delays

Fairfax
December 15, 2022
FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. – The Department of Public Works and Environmental Services is currently behind on vacuum leaf collection service. The county provides service to roughly 25,000 customers as part of the Sanitary District Program. Delays are the result of the early leaf fall this season, in combination with staffing and equipment shortages.
Fairfax County Working to Remediate Leaf Collection Delays

Predator Beetles Released at Scott’s Run to Help Combat Hemlock-Devouring Insect

Predator
December 9, 2022
In early December, the Urban Forest Management Division (UFMD) released approximately 700 laricobius nigrinus beetles, also known as predator beetles, at Scott’s Run Nature Preserve to eliminate the hemlock woolly Adelgid (HWA) infestation and preserve healthy Eastern Hemlock trees.
Predator Beetles Released at Scott’s Run to Help Combat Hemlock-Devouring Insect

Fairfax County Temporarily Waives Landfill Disposal Fees for Former Haulin' Trash Residential Customers

Fairfax
December 6, 2022
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is offering a remedy to customers of the now defunct private trash collector Haulin’ Trash LLC by authorizing a temporary suspension of disposal fees at the I-95 Landfill Complex and the I-66 Transfer Station.
Fairfax County Temporarily Waives Landfill Disposal Fees for Former Haulin' Trash Residential Customers

Ribbon Cuttings Scheduled at Two New Purple Can Glass Recycling Receptacles on Fairfax Recycles Day

Ribbon
November 14, 2022
Fairfax County is added two more receptacles to its Purple Can Club. The latest glass recycling dumpsters are in the Braddock and Mount Vernon districts.
Ribbon Cuttings Scheduled at Two New Purple Can Glass Recycling Receptacles on Fairfax Recycles Day

DPWES to Enforce New Recovery Plan Agreement with American Disposal Services to Restore and Maintain Timely and Reliable Trash Collection Service

DPWES
November 4, 2022
FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va - In response to a significant drop-off in reliable trash collection service, the Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES) and American Disposal Services, Inc., (ADS) have established a plan to resolve the significant volume of service-related complaints DPWES has received from ADS customers.
DPWES to Enforce New Recovery Plan Agreement with American Disposal Services to Restore and Maintain Timely and Reliable Trash Collection Service

Fairfax County Unveils ‘Making Trash Bloom’ Signage at I-66 Transfer Station as New Pollinator Meadow Project is Implemented

Fairfax
October 28, 2022
FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. – The official ‘Making Trash Bloom’ signs were installed today at the new pollinator meadow high atop the county’s I-66 Transfer Station in the Springfield District.
Fairfax County Unveils ‘Making Trash Bloom’ Signage at I-66 Transfer Station as New Pollinator Meadow Project is Implemented

Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act

Celebrating
October 19, 2022
In August 2022, Grammy-award winning singer Lorde shocked fans at the Anthem when she told them she swam in the Potomac so she could feel like she was part of the DMV community. Little did she know, the Potomac River has been banned from swimming activity since 1971 due to pollution. The good news? Hard work by our regional wastewater and stormwater professionals have gotten the 450-mile river…
Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act

Pumpkin Palooza

Pumpkin
October 13, 2022
Dispose of your decaying jack o'lanterns at I-95 Landfill Complex or I-66 Transfer Station. Composting stations are open seven days a week!
Pumpkin Palooza

Spotted Lanternfly Egg Mass “Search Scrape and Destroy” Underway in Fairfax County

Spotted
September 16, 2022
With the help of Fairfax County residents, it may be possible to slow the spread of the spotted lanternfly. Fairfax County Forest Pest Management is asking residents to ‘search-scrape-and destroy’ spotted lanternfly egg masses.
Spotted Lanternfly Egg Mass “Search Scrape and Destroy” Underway in Fairfax County

Drivers of DPWES Solid Waste

Drivers
September 15, 2022
In recognition of Truck Driver Appreciation Week, DPWES is highlighting a few heavy equipment and motor equipment operators in the Solid Waste Management Program (SWMP). Read the stories of SWMP drivers and their experience on Fairfax County roadways.
Drivers of DPWES Solid Waste

Flushed the Journey of Wastewater: Plant Mechanics

Flushed
September 8, 2022
Wastewater Management (WWM) does more than just clean dirty water. Employees from all WWM divisions work toward pollution prevention and continuous improvement focused on maintaining our wastewater infrastructure, a critical asset to Fairfax County, and protecting human health and the environment.
Flushed the Journey of Wastewater: Plant Mechanics

Eric Forbes to Permanently Lead DPWES Solid Waste Management Program

Eric
August 30, 2022
The Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES) is pleased to announce that Eric Forbes is the new Deputy Director leading the County’s Solid Waste Management Program. Forbes has been serving as the Acting Deputy Director and his new position becomes effective on September 10. He replaces John Kellas who resigned in July to return to his home state of Minnesota…
Eric Forbes to Permanently Lead DPWES Solid Waste Management Program

Five Back-to-School Tips to Reduce Waste This Year

Five
August 22, 2022
As students begin to head back to school, parents, faculty and students should discuss and implement waste prevention practices on campus while encouraging reuse, recycling and composting programs. Here are tips parents, faculty and students can use to help reduce waste this school year.
Five Back-to-School Tips to Reduce Waste This Year

Groundbreaking Hemlock Program Leads UFMD to Champion Award

Groundbreaking
August 19, 2022
The Urban Forest Management Division (UFMD) Hemlock Management and Fall Arrest Initiative team were recognized with a Fairfax County Champion Award for their groundbreaking development and execution of hemlock inventory, evaluation and treatment pr
Groundbreaking Hemlock Program Leads UFMD to Champion Award

Composting Food Scraps During National Farmers Market Week

Composting
August 5, 2022
Fairfax County Solid Waste Management Program will recognize National Farmers Market Week (NFMW), August 7 – 13, by hosting food scrap drop-offs. Staff will attend various county farmers markets to promote food waste prevention and composting. Stop by one of the markets below to learn more about our programs.
Composting Food Scraps During National Farmers Market Week

Spotted Lanternfly Watch Underway in Fairfax County

Spotted
August 1, 2022
FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va – While there are still no sightings of the spotted lanternfly in Fairfax County, it is getting closer, and experts are on the lookout for it. This summer the invasive pest was found in nearby Loudoun County. To reduce the spread of this destructive insect the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service has expanded the spotted lanternfly quarantine to include an…
Spotted Lanternfly Watch Underway in Fairfax County

Friends of Trees Awards Nominations Closing at the End of July

Friends
July 13, 2022
The deadline is July 31 to get in nominations for this year’s Friends of Trees awards from the Tree Commission. The nomination period opened June 10.
Friends of Trees Awards Nominations Closing at the End of July

How To Properly Dispose of your American Flag

How
July 1, 2022
Did you know the average outdoor flag lasts only about 90 days? Flying the stars and stripes outside your home is a great way to showcase pride in our county. But the ever-changing weather and the blasting rays of the sun will inevitably result in a worn-out flag.
How To Properly Dispose of your American Flag
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