Public Works and Environmental Services

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

Water Resources and Infrastructure

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

Get Help Now! - Call our 24-Hour Customer Communications Center (CCC): 703-323-1211 | TTY 711.

For non-emergency problems, visit Report a Problem.


Water's Journey

Drinking Water - Wastewater - Stormwater

Clean water is our most important resource. To keep water clean for future generations, we need to know where it comes from, how we use it, and where it goes after it leaves our homes and businesses. Find out how drinking water, wastewater and stormwater runoff are managed by separate systems in Fairfax County.


Exciting Changes Within Public Works

Fairfax County relies on the newly named Water Resources Infrastructure to safely manage stormwater, wastewater, and our urban forest. Their programs protect and restore our vital natural resources, serve the community, and safeguard the environment and public health. Their new facility (opening in 2026) will house them all under one roof.


Volunteering

Public Works strives to protect and enhance the natural environment, but we can’t do it alone. There are numerous opportunities for volunteers who want to help keep their streets and streams clean and their natural areas green. Visit our partners’ websites to find ways you can make a positive impact in your community. Working together, we can ensure Fairfax County remains a clean, safe, and healthy place to live, work, and play.

Invasive Species

Visit Blue Ridge PRISM for plants to watch for throughout the year: Weed Alerts – Blue Ridge PRISM Inc

United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Pest Alert - Wavyleaf Basketgrass (July 2024)

Invasive Species News

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.

As of 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  

 

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!


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

Trees

Litter

Litter

Litter is trash not in its proper place or container. Litter has negative impacts on public health and the environment, including: ​

  • Attracts rodents and insects​
  • Pollutes streams and lakes​
  • Kills fish and wildlife​
  • Degrades water quality​
  • Destroys scenic views​ ​

Having an engaged and active community puts YOU on the front lines of defense against litter pollution!​


What Can YOU Do to Keep Our Community Clean?

The best way to address litter is to prevent it before it happens.

Plastic grocery bag - visit Plastics
Purple Can Club bin
Hazardous Waste

Volunteer With Us!

There are many ways to get involved in our community. Below are some partner organizations who lead and organize volunteer opportunities. Volunteering for a stream clean-up is a great way to earn volunteer community service hours!

What We Are Doing!

Litter Complaints

Litter may be found in several locations, each with different ownership and enforcement responsibilities. See the descriptions and links below to help direct complaints to the appropriate agencies.

Determine how to direct a litter complaint.

Stormwater Management

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

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

Wastewater Management

Payment Assistance for Customers

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


Flood Response Maps

Fairfax Virtual Assistant