DPW COVID-19 Update

Green banner with DPW logo and text "Department of Public Works Press Release"

In response to the evolving conditions related to the threat of COVID-19 and to ensure the safety of the public and of our employees, Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) Acting Director Matthew W. Garbark announced that the following will take effect Monday, March 23, 2020:

1.      All services other than curbside collections, condo collections, disposal services at the Quarantine Road Landfill and the Northwest Transfer Facility, operations at the Citizen Drop-Off Centers, and corner can collections will be suspended indefinitely. The suspended services include street and alley cleaning, property management, maritime operations, and special services (graffiti removal, rat abatement, and bulk trash pickup). This action will ensure we have a reserve of staff knowledgeable and capable of performing the critical functions.

2.      The Quarantine Road Landfill will no longer accept cash or credit card transactions.

3.      The Water Billing Customer Call Center will be closed as will the Customer Walk-In Center located on the first floor of the Abel Wolman Municipal Building.

4.      Only emergency water maintenance issues will be addressed.

5.      Construction, engineering, and maintenance projects not deemed essential will be suspended.

6.      All recreational activities at the Liberty, Loch Raven, and Prettyboy reservoirs will be suspended. This includes hiking, kayaking, mountain biking, boating, fishing, and horseback riding.

7.      Prequalification for contractors/consultants will be automatically extended for three months.

8.      Minimal staffing will be managing utility maintenance and meter operations. Only emergency or essential functions will be handled.

9.      All staff capable of teleworking must telework.

These conditions shall remain in effect until further notice. Click here to view the March 20, 2020, letter from DPW Acting Director Garbark.

Related Stories

NOW AVAILABLE: DPW’s 2023 Water Quality Report

Today, the Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) is announcing that its 2023 Water Quality Report is available online. This annual report provides Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Howard County residents with important information about where the City’s drinking water comes from, what chemicals it contains, and how it meets federal standards for tap water. In this report, DPW highlights our employees who monitor and treat the water from the City’s reservoirs, Loch Raven, Liberty, and Prettyboy, and take steps to safeguard the water throughout the distribution process.

DPW Offices, Sanitation Yards Closed on Independence Day , Thursday, July 4

The Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) Acting Director Khalil Zaied reminds residents that Independence Day will be observed on Thursday, July 4, 2024. As a City-observed holiday, DPW offices and sanitation yards will be CLOSED. The Independence Day closure WILL impact weekly trash and recycling collections. Trash and recycling makeup day is Saturday, July 6, 2024. There will be NO street sweeping during the Independence Day closure.  

DPW Offices, Sanitation Yards Closed on Juneteenth City of Baltimore to Observe Juneteenth, Wednesday, June 19

The Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) Acting Director Khalil Zaied reminds residents that Juneteenth will be observed on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. As a City-observed holiday, DPW offices and sanitation yards will be CLOSEDTrash and recycling collections WILL NOT take place on the Juneteenth holiday closure. The trash and recycling make-up day is Saturday, June 22. There will be NO street sweeping during the Juneteenth closure.