Who We Are

The Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) delivers essential services that protect public health, support strong neighborhoods, and sustain the environment. Every day, our employees work across the city and region to provide safe drinking water, treat wastewater, collect trash and recycling, clean streets, and maintain critical infrastructure.

For more than a century, DPW has played a vital role in Baltimore's growth and quality of life. Today, we are uniquely responsible for both water and wastewater services and solid waste operations—connecting the work of protecting public health, preserving natural resources, and keeping Baltimore clean.

Photo showing Baltimore City Skyline

Vision

To provide the trusted, high-quality services that ensure the region’s health, environment, and communities.

Mission

Through our dedicated team of employees and partners, Baltimore DPW delivers the essential public services that build a cleaner, healthier, and more vibrant region.

Values

Safety.   Integrity.   Accountability.  Inclusion.  Teamwork  Equity.

Photo of Department of Public Works Employee at a water quality Test Lab

Bureau of Water and Wastewater

Provides safe, reliable drinking water and wastewater services to Baltimore City and the surrounding counties. The bureau manages the systems that deliver clean water, collect and treat wastewater, and protect our waterways and watershed.

Image of Department Of Public Works Employee picking up trash during trash collection day.

Bureau of Solid Waste

Helps keep Baltimore clean and healthy through trash and recycling collection, street cleaning, lot maintenance, and environmental programs. The bureau works every day to improve neighborhood cleanliness and support a cleaner, greener city.

Our History

Baltimore's public works legacy began with the creation of the City's water system in the 1800s. As the city grew, so did the need for coordinated infrastructure and public services. In 1925, the Department of Public Works was established to oversee essential services that protect public health and support daily life.

Baltimore's leadership in water quality was shaped in part by Dr. Abel Wolman, a pioneering sanitary engineer and Baltimore native whose work helped establish modern methods of water disinfection and treatment. His contributions to drinking water safety and public health influenced water systems across the United States and around the world, helping position Baltimore as a leader in water management and innovation.

Today, DPW continues that legacy by maintaining critical infrastructure, delivering reliable services, and investing in a cleaner, more resilient future for Baltimore.