Public Works and Environmental Services

Fairfax County, Virginia

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

Invasive Species

Search Invasive Species Site

WHAT ARE INVASIVE SPECIES?

Invasive species (plants, animals, or diseases) are those intentionally or accidentally introduced by human activity causing ecological or economic damage within a region in which they did not evolve. These species are usually characterized by unrestricted growth with few natural pests or predators. These qualities allow them to spread quickly, and they can aggressively outcompete desired native species causing harm to natural resources, humans, and the local economy.

Here are some ways that invasive species are introduced to new areas: Pathways of Introduction and Spread.

United States Department of Agriculture, National Invasive Species Information Center for more information.

RUNNING BAMBOO

Starting January 1, 2023, running bamboo must be contained on an owner's property.

Avoid The Fine, Don't Let Running Bamboo Grow Beyond Your Property Line.

Running bamboo is a fast-growing, invasive grass with a complex, horizontal root system called rhizomes that aggressively spread underground, as much as 15 feet per year. Once planted, running bamboo can eventually take over yards and travel across property lines, creating issues for adjacent property owners and local jurisdictions.

The new ordinance requires property owners to contain running bamboo on their property and prevent it from spreading beyond their property line. Property owners may incur penalties if they allow bamboo to spread beyond their property.

Learn more about the damage it causes, as well as how to contain, remove and dispose of Running Bamboo.

Read the information sheet: EnglishArabicChineseFarsiKoreanSpanishUrdu and Vietnamese  

Why It Matters

running bamboo

 

There are consequences to the spread of invasive species:

  • Environmental
  • Financial
  • Social and Recreational
  • Health
  • Safety

What You Can Do

Invasive species management volunteers

 

You can take action in many ways:

  • Be informed and spread the word
  • Prevent the spread and plant native
  • Manage invasive species on your property
  • Volunteer, individually and as groups
  • Report invasive species

Resources

trapa bisponosa

 

Find references and contacts for:

  • Informational websites
  • Contact information
  • Events and Activities; Videos and Podcasts

 

Working Together on Invasive Species

While Fairfax County and its partners work hard to provide the best services for controlling invasive species, we rely on the engaged residents of Fairfax to support our efforts to identify, manage, and control invasive species. Learn more about the County's work and discover numerous opportunities for you to get involved!

Events and Activities

Videos and Podcasts

Countywide Strategic Plan - Environment and Energy Outcomes

Our collective work on invasive species helps Fairfax County make progress on our Countywide Strategic Plan through our environmental policies and practices that support air, water and land quality. It is important for people to have the opportunity to enjoy the natural environment, and that residents, businesses, county employees and visitors share in the responsibility to improve environmental outcomes.

Capital Projects

Doing Business

Building Construction Branch onsite

View design solicitations, bid opportunities, award results, and resources for doing business with us, from planning, design and land acquisition to construction management.

Projects

Workhouse campus rendering

View project summary reports, detailed information on selected Spotlight Capital Projects, the projects currently under construction and upcoming projects in the Fairfax County's Capital Improvement Plan.

News and Podcasts

 

Streetlights

Countywide Streetlight program

Fairfax County provides street lighting services to the community for the purpose of enhancing public safety.

Report an Outage

Reporting Map

Guidelines, Plans & Policies

cover of Capital Improvement Plan

View the policies, plans and guides that drive Capital Projects.

Jobs

Capital Facilities Staff

Join the Capital Facilities team providing design, land acquisition and construction services in the most populous county in Virginia.

Learn More About Capital Facilities

Trees

Who To Call

Tree on a house

The responsibility for hazardous trees generally lies with the people or agency that owns or maintains the property. Get information on how to handle emergency situations and who to contact about hazardous trees.

News and Videos

 

Trees Are The Answer

Tree planting

Every dollar spent on planting and caring for a community tree yields benefits that include cleaner air, lower energy costs, improved water quality and storm water control and increased property values.

Tree Removal

Tree Pruning in Progress

Before removing a tree, consider the benefits of conserving the tree and if some pruning and care would be a better approach.

Planting and Care

proper tree planting

Trees are a great investment in your property and a source of pride and pleasure. Proper planting and maintenance are essential to protect your investment and make the most of the benefits of having trees.

Insects and Diseases

Fall Cankerworm

Learn how to identify Fairfax County's most notorious pests, what to do when you spot them and how to create a healthy tree environment.

Tree Identification

tree to be identified

Not sure what kind of tree that is? These tools will help you find the species of tree which will help you find information on how to properly care for it.

Tree Selection

large tree by the roadside

A tree is a long term investment, so plant the right tree in the right location.

Know the Rules

excerpt from the public facilities manual

For the benefit of everyone, trees are protected by a set of policies, standards, ordinances and regulations.

Publications and Forms

I-Tree Ecosystem Analysis Report Cover

Find important reports and forms related to the management of trees

Outreach and Education

Tree planting at elementary school

Request a tree program for your classroom.

Volunteer

Tree Planting with Kids

Public Works strives to protect and enhance the natural environment, but we can’t do it alone. Find opportunities to get involved with tree planting groups.

Litter

What You Can Do

  1. Secure your trash on collection days by using containers with a lid.
  2. Place heavier recyclables on top of lighter materials in open recycling bins. This will prevent bottles and paper from blowing away.
  3. Wait to place your trash and recycling out until the morning of collection day.
  4. Storm drains are not trash cans. Never throw garbage in them
  5. Organize or participate in neighborhood stream cleanups.
  6. Adopt a road and keep it free of litter.
  7. Choose a reusable bottle instead of plastic bottled water.
  8. Choose reusable bags instead of plastic shopping bags.
  9. Report overflowing trash cans and dumpsters.
  10. If you see litter, pick it up and dispose of it properly. Every bottle, wrapper, and box adds up.
  11. Secure trash and recycling before heavy rain events.
  12. Store trash and recycling away from flood prone areas.

Floating trash washes into Accotink Creek following a storm on June 17, 2019. Storm drains in Fairfax County lead directly to the nearest waterway. Any litter on the ground ends up in our streams. Please help prevent litter.

Negative Impacts on Public Health and The Environment

Litter from storm drains flows directly to local creeks and streams, on to the Potomac River, the Chesapeake Bay, and the Atlantic Ocean.
Litter from storm drains flows directly to local creeks and streams, on to the Potomac River, the Chesapeake Bay, and the Atlantic Ocean.
  • Attracting rodents and insects which may breed disease
  • Polluting streams and lakes that flow to the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay
    • Litter left on sidewalks, streets, yards or other open areas may be carried by rainwater and melting snow to storm drains. Smaller items such as motor oil and pesticides may flow into storm drains and then to rivers, lakes and streams. Large items may block storm drains, and cause road and structure flooding during storms.
  • Killing fish and wildlife
    • Litter may harm aquatic life.
    • Animals may ingest toxic substances such as motor oil, pesticides, or cigarette butts or they may swallow or become entangled in trash that finds its way into streams.
    • Fertilizers from yard waste that is dumped into streams can create large algae blooms which create low oxygen zones that kill fish.
  • Degrading Water Quality
    • Litter affects the quality of stream water that provides recreation for many county residents and is a source of public drinking water.
  • Destroying scenic vistas. Litter is just plain ugly!

Stormwater Management

Search Stormwater Management

If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, call 911.

For other flood emergenices or non-emergency problems, Report a Problem

Flooding

Neighborhood flooding

Find information on how to protect your property from flooding, what is a floodplain, building around a floodplain, national flood insurance program, the community rating system, and dam safety.

Storm Drainage System

Outfall Restoration at Stone Mill Court

Find out what the storm drainage system is, where to see the public system, who maintains the drainage system, who maintains the easement, where to call to report a problem or get more information, what you can do to help.

News and Video

 

Wastewater Management

Search Wastewater Mangagement

Payment Assistance for Customers

Need help paying your Fairfax Water bill? Fairfax Water offers payment assistance options for customers.

News and Videos

 

Drinking - Waste - Storm Water

Water's Journey

Clean water is our most important resource. Learn how drinking water, wastewater and stormwater runoff are managed by separate systems in Fairfax County.

Maps and Publications

Join Us

Flood Response Maps

Carrington Sec 1A Regional D-107

Dulles Station at Dulles Corner Regional

Fairfax Center Regional D-77

Fairview Lake (Reservoir 2A)

Fox Lair Regional

Hunter Mill Estates Regional D-52/25

Huntsman Lake (Pohick Creek 8)

Kings Park West Sec 18

Kingstowne Pond No. 4

Lake Barton (Pohick Creek 2)

Lake Braddock (Pohick Creek 7)

Lake Mercer (Pohick Creek 1)

Lake Royal (Pohick Creek 4)

Fire & Rescue/Police:

DPWES:

Pulte/McLean 100 Regional D-67

Reston Northern Sector Pond 1

West Ox Road Regional

Woodglen Lake (Pohick Creek 3)

Recycling and Trash

Search Recycling and Trash

Disposal Center Drop Off

At Home Pickup

touch a truck

View Does Fairfax County Pick Up My Trash? to find out if you receive trash and recycling collection services from Fairfax County Government.

Customers with private collection service should contact their provider directly.

For County Collection Customers Only

News and Videos

 

Educators, Students & Ambassadors

Find out how to take a tour of one of our trash and recycling disposal centers, arrange for a guest speaker, and watch great videos.

Fairfax Virtual Assistant