~Staffing shortages and equipment problem causing slowdown~
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.
Immediate initial steps to improve service include beginning work in areas 1 and 2 on Monday, December 19, as opposed to focusing on one area at a time. There will be multiple trucks for each vacuum unit to take leaves from neighborhoods to county disposal sites. By dividing resources, it will take additional time to complete each area. Service in both remaining areas will begin concurrently. Vacuum collection staff have been working 10-hour shifts and most Saturdays and will continue to do so.
The county has also brought on an additional contractor to assist with the work being done by DPWES staff.
Regular schedule updates are available on the county’s website at Leaf Collection Dates - Schedule and Status.
While there is currently not a mechanism in place to refund vacuum leaf taxes, residents have the option to petition the Board to "de-create" their vacuum leaf district, removing themselves from County services in the future. More information on the process is available at Petition Process.
For questions on vacuum service or to get additional information, visit Vacuum Leaf Collection.
