Public Works and Environmental Services

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.

Learn how to properly dispose of materials. Visit Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle
Storm drains are not trash cans. They go directly into our waterways. Never put garbage or debris into them because it can cause flooding and prevent the drain from functioning properly.
Adopt a Highway and keep it free of litter.
If you see overflowing trash cans and dumpsters, report them to the Solid Waste Management Program.
Organize or participate in neighborhood stream cleanups. See Volunteer With Us! for more opportunities.

Operation Stream Shield

Operation Stream Shield (OSS) is a collaborative effort between the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services and the Office to Prevent and End Homelessness. This initiative serves a dual purpose: enhancing the environment and providing support to individuals experiencing homelessness. By engaging them in clean-up activities, OSS improves water quality in local streams.

The program plays a vital role in fulfilling the County's commitment to maintaining clean streams by removing litter and non-native invasive plant species. Additionally, OSS contributes to various other essential tasks such as maintaining the county's pedestrian trail system, supporting facilities like the Noman M. Cole, Jr. Water Recycling Facility, I-66 Transfer Station, and the I-95 Landfill Complex, and participating in assigned special projects as opportunities arise.

Visit Operation Stream Shield

The Bandalong Litter Trap

The Bandalong Litter Trap is an innovative solution designed to intercept litter and pollution flowing downstream, crucial for maintaining healthy aquatic ecosystems. Our device predominantly captures organic debris, highlighting its ineffectiveness in capturing man-made pollutant materials. Since its installation in 2021, DPWES has collected over 3,000 pounds of litter, averaging 60 to 90 pounds monthly (equivalent to $600-$900), including more than 1,000 pounds of organic and woody material. Considering the lower cost per weight of litter removed and the additional social benefits offered by OSS, DPWES has opted to prioritize the expansion of OSS rather than installing additional Bandalong traps at present.

The StormX System

The StormX system is an innovative method tailored to intercept litter and pollutants entering stormwater detention ponds. Within the Centreville Greene development, two pond locations have been equipped with this solution. Like the Bandalong, it primarily captures organic debris over litter. Monthly, it effectively captures approximately 15 to 20 pounds of litter. DPWES has observed that the OSS Program, covering a broader county area, proves more cost-effective in litter removal from the environment compared to structural BMPs, which involve design, construction, and maintenance expenses.

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.

Litter left on the side of a public roadway or the median strip
Unattended trash or discarded bulk items on private property
Litter at an active construction site
Litter at a county government facility
Stormwater Facilities
- Our Role in Litter Management: At Fairfax County, we're committed to effective stormwater management and environmental stewardship. It's important for the public to understand our scope of service and limitations regarding litter management.
- Our Scope: Our team diligently maintains stormwater facilities at specific locations and frequencies.
- Our Responsibility: While we actively manage and maintain stormwater facilities, our responsibilities do not include picking up litter reported by the public.
- Resource Constraints: We have received inquiries about litter pick-up from properties outside our regular maintenance schedules. However, we are not staffed or budgeted to accommodate such requests.
- Community Collaboration: We appreciate public awareness and cooperation in helping maintain cleanliness in public spaces. Your efforts alongside ours contribute to a cleaner environment. Property owners are asked to help keep their properties free of litter, regardless of whether a county easement exists or not.
Litter at a county park
Litter at a facility otherwise regulated by Fairfax County (e.g., bars and restaurants, medical care facilities)
Missed refuse or recycling collection
Litter left on a sidewalk in front of residential or private property. Report to the Solid Waste Management Program, SWMP-Enforcement at 703-324-5230, TTY 711 or email trashmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Police Enforcement of Virginia Code Enforcement

Public Works and Environmental Services

Report a Problem

Public Works and Environmental Services

Stormwater Management

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.

Visit Flood Information

Storm Drainage System

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.

Visit Storm Drainage System

News and Video

News, Videos, EnviroPod

Water Quality

Fairfax County studies stream health by monitoring living and non-living parts of our freshwater ecosystems. This information helps assess the condition of our watersheds and guides efforts to protect and care for our local freshwater resources. Learn more about how Fairfax County measures the health of our streams and lakes.

Visit Watershed Monitoring

Pollution Prevention and Reporting

oil and water running toward storm drain

Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit

Polluted Runoff | Litter

Business Inspections

What's that Stuff in the Stream?

You Can Help Prevent Pollution

Visit You Can Help Prevent Pollution

Education and Outreach

What is a watershed?

Educational Programs K-12

Fishes of Fairfax County| A Field Guide to Fairfax County's Plants and Wildlife | Water's Journey

You Can Help Prevent Pollution

Visit Watershed Education and Outreach

Public Works and Environmental Services

Wastewater Management

Residents

Get Help Now!

Sewer Service and Billing

Connect to Public Sanitary Sewer System

Septic/Portable Toilet Waste Disposal

What You Can Do — Prevent Backups and Overflows

Visit Residential Wastewater Management

News and Videos

News, Videos, EnviroPod

Drinking - Waste - Storm Water

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

Visit Water's Journey

Public Works and Environmental Services

Flood Response Maps

Carrington Sec 1A Regional D-107

Fire & Rescue/Police:

DPWES:

Dulles Station at Dulles Corner Regional

Fire & Rescue/Police:

DPWES:

Fairfax Center Regional D-77

Fire & Rescue/Police:

DPWES:

Fairview Lake (Reservoir 2A)

Fire & Rescue/Police:

DPWES:

Fox Lair Regional

Fire & Rescue/Police:

DPWES:

Hampton Forest

Fire & Rescue/Police:

DPWES:

Hunter Mill Estates Regional D-52/25

Fire & Rescue/Police:

DPWES:

Huntington

Huntsman Lake (Pohick Creek 8)

Fire & Rescue/Police:

DPWES:

Kings Park West Sec 18

Fire & Rescue/Police:

DPWES:

Kingstowne Pond No. 4

Fire & Rescue/Police:

DPWES:

Lake Barton (Pohick Creek 2)

Fire & Rescue/Police:

DPWES:

Lake Braddock (Pohick Creek 7)

Fire & Rescue/Police:

Overtopping Breach Zone - Page 1 | Page 2
Sunny Day Breach - Page1 | Page2

DPWES:

Overtopping Breach Zone - Page1 | Page2
Sunny Day Breach - Page1 | Page2

Lake Mercer (Pohick Creek 1)

Fire & Rescue/Police:

Overtopping Breach Zone - Map 1 of 2 | Map 2 of 2
Sunny Day Breach - Map 1 of 2 | Map 2 of 2

DPWES:

Overtopping Breach Zone - Map 1 of 2 | Map 2 of 2
Sunny Day Breach - Map 1 of 2 | Map 2 of 2

Lake Royal (Pohick Creek 4)

Fire & Rescue/Police:

Overtopping Breach Zone
- Map 1
- Map 2
Sunny Day Breach
- Map 1
- Map 2

DPWES:

Overtopping Breach Zone
- Map 1
- Map 2
Sunny Day Breach
- Map 1
- Map 2

Pulte/McLean 100 Regional D-67

Fire & Rescue/Police:

DPWES:

Reston Northern Sector Pond 1

Fire & Rescue/Police:

DPWES:

West Ox Road Regional

Fire & Rescue/Police:

DPWES:

Recycling and Trash

Residents and Businesses

Most residents get trash and recycling picked up at-home by private collectors. Discover how to manage your trash and recycling.

Does Fairfax County Pick Up My Trash?

Permitted Solid Waste Collection Companies

Recycling and Garbage Disposal Guidelines

Recycling Toolkit

Recycling and Trash for Residents

Recycling and Trash for Businesses

Disposal Centers

Drop off recycling and trash services are available to ALL Fairfax County residents and businesses.

I-66 Transfer Station

I-95 Landfill Complex

Residential Disposal Fees

Commercial Disposal Fees

Drop Off Locations

County Collection Customers

If your recycling and trash is picked up by Fairfax County, find out what’s collected, how to prepare for pickup, and sign up for notices.

County Collection Customer Notices

Report Missed Pickup or Issues

County Collection Customers

Collection and Disposal Industry

Get essential information for trash and recycling collectors and waste disposal companies operating in Fairfax County.

Trash Collection and Disposal Industry

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

We can help you create less waste, reuse or donate things. Then recycle what you can before throwing stuff away.

Waste Wizard - What Goes Where?

Recycling Toolkit

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

News and Videos

News, Videos and Podcasts

Guidelines, Plans, Policies

Dive deeper on the plans and performance of trash and recycling in Fairfax County.

Recycling and Trash Publications

Explore A-Z

Could not find what you were looking for? Search Recycling and Trash pages and find other ways to get information.

Explore Recycling and Trash from A-Z

Department of Public Works and Environmental Services

Public Works and Environmental Services

Alert:

Litter

What Can YOU Do to Keep Our Community Clean?

Volunteer With Us!

Volunteer - Clean Ups

What We Are Doing!

Operation Stream Shield

The Bandalong Litter Trap

The StormX System

Litter Complaints

Public Works and Environmental Services

Emergencies

Recycling and Trash

Maintenance and Construction

Environmental

More Topics

Public Works and Environmental Services

Quick Links

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

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

Flooding

Storm Drainage System

News and Video

Watershed Plans and Projects

On My Property

Maintenance and Inspections

Water Quality

Pollution Prevention and Reporting

Education and Outreach

Maps and Publications

Additional Resources

Public Works and Environmental Services

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Payment Assistance for Customers

Residents

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Drinking - Waste - Storm Water

Construction and Maintenance

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Educators and Students

Join Us

Public Works and Environmental Services

Barcroft Dam

Belle View/New Alexandria

Burke Centre Sec 11B

Carrington Sec 1A Regional D-107

Dulles Station at Dulles Corner Regional

Fairfax Center Regional D-77

Fairview Lake (Reservoir 2A)

Fox Lair Regional

Hampton Forest

Hunter Mill Estates Regional D-52/25

Huntington

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)

Pulte/McLean 100 Regional D-67

Reston Northern Sector Pond 1

West Ox Road Regional

Woodglen Lake (Pohick Creek 3)

Quick Links

Residents and Businesses

Disposal Centers

County Collection Customers

Collection and Disposal Industry

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

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