The Department of Environmental Services protects the natural resources of our City and region for current and future generations by providing effective and efficient management of stormwater, wastewater and solid waste.
Background of Environmental Services
The Department of Environmental Services was created in July 2011, when the City divided Public Works into two departments. While the Department of Public Works continues to maintain responsibility for our transportation and stormwater infrastructure, the Department of Environmental Services operates the regional wastewater utility as well as the Integrated Solid Waste Management System. Both enterprise funds operate solely from revenue collected as part of each respective utility.
Environmental Services is responsible for operating critical utilities, protecting the environment, and for complying with all state and federal environmental regulations. Like many other communities across the nation, Springfield is addressing the challenge of increasingly stringent environmental regulations from every front. From stormwater and wastewater to air quality and drinking water, as regulations continue to evolve, our community is required to devote more money and resources to comply.
This department is spearheading the effort to implement an Integrated Plan for the Environment that will ensure our vital natural resources are protected in a manner that is affordable to our community. This initiative has received national attention from both EPA and elected officials.
Accredited by the American Public Works Association
Environmental Services first achieved accreditation by the American Public Works Association (APWA) in 2013 and was reaccredited in 2017 and 2021; the Department is among only 1% of government agencies to achieve this accreditation across all of North America.