Today, Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) employees said farewell to Director Rudolph S. Chow, P.E.  Director Chow concludes his service to the City of Baltimore on Feb. 1. On that day, DPW’s Deputy Director Matthew Garbark will become Acting Director.  

Director Chow announced his retirement on Oct. 15, 2019, after nine years with the Department, including six as DPW Director.

“Serving as Director of the Baltimore City Department of Public Works has been the highlight of my long career in the Public Works industry,” Director Chow said. “I am especially proud of spearheading improvements to the City’s water and sewer infrastructure that will benefit Baltimore for generations to come.”

Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young thanked Director Chow for his service. “On behalf of the residents of the great City of Baltimore, I thank Director Rudolph Chow for his many years of dedicated service,” said Mayor Young. “Good luck and best of wishes on your future endeavors Rudy.”

During his time at DPW, Director Chow made cleaning the City’s neighborhoods, revitalizing its aging water system, upsizing employment opportunities, developing career opportunities for young adults, and implementing equity and inclusion best practices his top priorities.

Director Chow promoted cleaner, healthier neighborhoods by distributing Municipal Trash Cans to every residence that receives City trash service. He started an initiative, replacing water mains at a rate of 15 miles per year. 

Under his leadership, water was made more affordable with the implementation of the BH₂O (Water Assistance) Program. Director Chow launched the YH₂0 Career Mentoring Program for young adults between the ages of 18 and 24 to receive mentoring and full-time job placements within the Department. In addition, a career pipeline for college graduates with degrees in engineering was created under Director Chow’s leadership. He created an Equity Office within the Department to ensure equitable business and hiring practices.  

Today, in his last public appearance as DPW Director, Mr. Chow announced the completion of the Patapsco Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), Enhanced Nutrient Removal (ENR) Project, a major environmental achievement for the State of Maryland. The Patapsco ENR upgrade provides new facilities and processes that support the removal of at least 95 percent of the bio-available nitrogen and phosphorus from the water that we return to the Chesapeake Bay following the wastewater treatment process.

DPW serves over 1.8 million residents of Baltimore City and five surrounding counties, with a combined operating and capital budget exceeding $1billion annually.