Public Works and Environmental Services

CONTACT INFORMATION: Our administrative offices are open 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Mon - Fri
703-324-5033 TTY 711
12000 Government Center Parkway
Suite 448 Fairfax, VA 22035
Sharon North
Public Information Officer

News

 

What’s a Pump Station — And Why Should You Care?

April 25, 2025

You flush. It goes away. But have you ever wondered where it goes—and how it gets there?

County Adjusts Mowing Procedures to Protect Birds at I-95 Landfill

March 18, 2025

Endangered grassland bird species, such as the Eastern meadowlark and grasshopper sparrow, have found refuge in Fairfax County thanks to a 50-acre swath of meadowland atop the I-95 Landfill Complex in Lorton and some modified land management procedures there. Recent efforts by the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES) are helping the birds survive and thrive at the…

Flood Awareness Week 2025 begins with Resiliency Expo for Regional Elected Officials

March 6, 2025

Fairfax County, Va. – The inaugural Northern Virginia Resiliency Expo will take Fairfax County officials and additional Northern Virginia elected officials, agency directors and other regional leaders to sites in local jurisdictions to tour some flood resiliency projects.

Dogue Creek to Undergo Improvements to Protect and Preserve the Stream Corridor

March 3, 2025

As a part of ongoing efforts to improve the water quality in Dogue Creek, the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services has purchased three parcels of land at 8800 Richmond Highway. The county is funding the land acquisition with a $2.8 million Virginia Community Preparedness Fund (CFPF) grant and the Stormwater Service District Fund. This is part of a multi-decade effort to preserve…

New Multilingual Public Engagement Website Launched for Lake Accotink

February 18, 2025

A new multilingual public engagement website has been launched by Fairfax County to facilitate public feedback on the Smaller Lake Accotink Preservation Feasibility Study.

Scott’s Run Nature Preserve to Temporarily Close during Repair of Wastewater Pipes

February 12, 2025

An emergency operation to remove a critical blockage from the county’s wastewater siphon system will begin on Monday, February 17.

County Residents Using FMAP Funding to Prevent Flooding

February 11, 2025

Seven months after launching, Fairfax County’s Flood Mitigation Assistance Program (FMAP) has provided funding to 23 homeowners to help safeguard their properties from flood damage.

Water Resources and Infrastructure is Approved as New Name for Stormwater and Wastewater Management Programs

February 10, 2025

It is a new year, and some positive changes are taking place within the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services.

Fairfax County Kicks-Off Textile Recycling Pilot

February 6, 2025

FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va - A textile recycling pilot program has been launched in the county. In partnership with a New Jersey-based company called Helpsy, the DPWES Solid Waste Management Program is implementing the pilot to provide residents with a convenient way to recycle unwanted textiles.

New Trash and Recycling Services Could be Rolling Your Way

February 4, 2025

Fairfax County is considering a new waste collection system through Unified Sanitation Districts (USD). Under USD, the county would manage waste hauling contracts directly with collectors, making the process easier for residents in single-family homes. All residential waste collection would be conducted by private collectors.

Fairfax County Proclaims November 16 as Stormwater Day

November 14, 2024

National Stormwater Day is November 16, and Fairfax County’s Department of Public Works and Environmental Services is sharing how its Stormwater Management Program plays a vital role in protecting our community and the environment.

Fairfax County Tree Commission Announces 2024 Friends of Trees Awards

November 13, 2024

The winners of the 2024 Friends of Trees Awards have been selected by The Fairfax County Tree Commission. The recognition honors two individuals and two groups for their outstanding contributions to tree conservation and the county’s urban forest. A recognition ceremony will be held in spring 2025.

Groundbreaking to Celebrate First of Three Components of Tysons Wastewater Conveyance Systems Modifications Project

November 13, 2024

The population is anticipated to increase in Fairfax County, particularly in the northern region, which means the need is becoming greater to ensure the wastewater system can accommodate that growth. The multi-pronged Tysons Wastewater Conveyance Systems Modifications Project (Tysons West) is being proactively designed to increase the size of the sewer system to better facilitate the process of…

Fairfax County Gearing Up for Fairfax Recycles Day 2024

November 6, 2024

There will be a lot to celebrate when the county recognizes Fairfax Recycles Day on Saturday, November 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Gerry Hyland Government Center. Join the Solid Waste Management Program for a recycling drop-off and touch-a-truck event, as DPWES recognizes several major milestones.

Let the Gourd Times Roll!

October 28, 2024

Boil ‘em, mash ‘em, stick ‘em in a stew… or compost them! Are you wondering what to do with your pumpkin after the fall holidays?

Volunteers to Plant 400+ Native Trees to Save Bren Mar Park from Destructive Invaders

September 27, 2024

An ambitious tree-planting effort is happening at Bren Mar Park in eastern Fairfax County, where major restoration efforts are underway to combat invasive plants and the destructive emerald ash borer (EAB) beetle. Over three days on Sept. 24, 25 and 26, volunteers are helping Fairfax County’s Urban and Community Forestry Division plant more than 400 native saplings of green and white ash trees and…

Let’s Work Together to Shape the Future of Lake Accotink

September 23, 2024

Community feedback is being solicited by the Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services on a study to determine how best to preserve a smaller Lake Accotink for a sustainable future. This survey is intended to ensure the community has input on the questions being addressed by the study and to build lines of communication with the public to share information and collect…

Accotink Pump Station Rehabilitation Project Construction Contract Includes Project Labor Agreement

September 17, 2024

With the approval of the construction contract for the rehabilitation of the Accotink Wastewater Pump Station, Fairfax County is administering the first local government Project Labor Agreement (PLA) in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The pump station, located at 9201 Richmond Highway in the Mount Vernon District, is the largest wastewater pump station in the County and conveys sewage from more than…

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