Public Works

Mission Statement

The mission of the Westfield Department of Public Works is to maintain and enhance the City’s infrastructure through responsible management, efficient operations, and long-term planning.  We are committed to delivering reliable services that promote public safety, support daily life, and meet the needs of Westfield’s approximately 41,000 residents.

Divisional Overview

The Department of Public Works (DPW) is organized into multiple divisions, each playing a critical role in maintaining the City's infrastructure, public spaces, and essential services.  Below is a summary of each division and its responsibilities:

• Highway:  The Highway Division is essential to ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient transportation infrastructure for residents, businesses, and visitors. Responsible for the repair, maintenance, and ongoing improvement of approximately 190 miles of city streets and sidewalks, the Division works year-round to keep Westfield’s roadways safe, functional, and accessible.  Core services provided by the Highway Division include pothole patching, roadside mowing, crack sealing, and regular street sweeping. The Division also performs line striping to enhance traffic safety and visibility, maintains the city’s extensive inventory of street signs and traffic signals, and provides grading and upkeep of gravel roads throughout Westfield’s more rural areas.
  
  
• Land & Natural Resources: The Land and Natural Resources Division plays a critical role in preserving and maintaining the city’s natural beauty and public spaces. Tasked with the care of more than 200 acres of parkland, community playgrounds, school athletic fields, and municipal cemeteries, the Division ensures that these vital areas remain safe, functional, and inviting for residents and visitors alike.  In addition to these high-use public spaces, the Division is also responsible for the stewardship of approximately 5,000 acres of forested land throughout the city.
  
  The Division’s responsibilities extend to the comprehensive management of Westfield’s urban tree inventory. This includes the careful planting of new trees to enhance the city’s tree canopy, routine pruning to promote healthy growth and public safety, and the safe removal of hazardous or diseased trees when necessary. Through these efforts, the Division supports a healthier, more resilient urban environment and contributes to the city's overall sustainability goals.
  
  
• Parks & Recreation: The Parks and Recreation Division is responsible for developing, maintaining, and promoting a wide range of recreational programs, public parklands, and related facilities that serve individuals of all ages and interests.  With a strong commitment to inclusivity, accessibility, and sustainability, the Parks and Recreation Division works tirelessly to ensure that Westfield remains a vibrant, active, and welcoming place to live, work, and play.  From beautifully maintained parks and playgrounds to athletic fields, trails, and seasonal programming, the Division offers diverse opportunities for physical activity, social connection, and community engagement. 
  
  
• Sewer: The Sewer Division plays a vital role in protecting public health, property, and the environment through the maintenance and improvement of the city’s sanitary sewer infrastructure. The Division oversees the operation of an extensive sewer collection system, which includes approximately 130 miles of gravity sewer mains, 5 miles of pressurized force mains, and more than 8,000 individual service connections serving homes, businesses, and institutions across the city.  Key responsibilities of the Sewer Division include the routine cleaning of sewer lines to prevent blockages and backups, timely repairs to damaged or aging infrastructure, and capital upgrades that enhance the system’s overall efficiency and capacity.  The Division also plays a proactive role in identifying areas of infiltration and inflow—where stormwater or groundwater enters the sanitary sewer system—and implements corrective measures to minimize excess flow and reduce strain on the treatment facility.
  
  
• Sewerage & Wastewater Treatment: The Sewerage & Wastewater Division is dedicated to protecting public health and the environment by providing reliable and efficient wastewater treatment services to more than 8,000 residential, commercial, and industrial customers.  At the heart of the system is a state-of-the-art wastewater treatment facility with a permitted capacity of 6.1 million gallons per day (MGD). This facility is responsible for removing pollutants, solids, and harmful pathogens from the wastewater before the treated effluent is safely returned to the environment.  In addition, the Division manages a network of 17 sewage pumping stations strategically located throughout the city.  The Division also operates a dedicated flood control pump station, which helps protect vulnerable areas of the city from storm-related surcharges and flooding, especially during periods of heavy rainfall or high groundwater levels.
  
  For more information, see the Understanding Wastewater Pamphlet page. 
  
  
• Snow & Ice: The Snow and Ice Division plays a critical role in ensuring public safety, mobility, and emergency access during winter weather events. The Division implements a comprehensive winter operations strategy that includes pre-treatment with salt brine, road salting, plowing, and continuous storm monitoring and response coordination.  Snow and Ice operations are carried out by trained Public Works personnel operating a fleet of plow trucks, sanders, and other specialized winter equipment.  The City also supplements its workforce with contracted drivers and equipment during major storms to ensure timely and efficient coverage across all neighborhoods.
  
  
• Stormwater:  The Stormwater Division is responsible for managing and maintaining the city's complex stormwater infrastructure.  With over 4,500 catch basins, approximately 300 outfalls, and more than 120 miles of storm drains and culverts, the Division plays a vital role in controlling runoff, preventing flooding, and ensuring the proper conveyance of stormwater to local rivers, streams, and wetlands.  The Division also supports capital improvement projects that upgrade aging infrastructure, incorporate green infrastructure practices, and enhance stormwater detention and filtration capabilities.
  
  In addition to regular maintenance activities such as catch basin cleaning, culvert repair, and infrastructure inspections, the Stormwater Division is responsible for ensuring full compliance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit. This federal permit requires municipalities like Westfield to implement a range of best management practices (BMPs) aimed at reducing stormwater pollution.
  
  
• Waste Collection: The Waste Collection Division is responsible for the reliable and efficient curbside collection of residential solid waste and recyclables, serving over 11,000 households across the community.  The Division ensures that waste is collected and managed in a timely, safe, and environmentally responsible manner.  Curbside collection occurs on a weekly basis, providing residents with consistent and convenient service for both trash and single-stream recyclables.  All collected solid waste is transported for proper disposal while recyclables are delivered to certified materials recovery facilities (MRFs), where they are sorted, processed, and sent for reuse in the manufacturing of new products.
  
  For more information on pickup schedules, visit the Curbside Trash and Recycling Pickup Schedule and Curbside Collection Schedule by Street pages.
  
  
• Water:  The Water Division operates and maintains a comprehensive water supply and treatment system designed to meet current demands and support future growth.  The Division oversees four water treatment facilities that employ advanced technologies to treat raw water drawn from the City’s one reservoir and eight groundwater wells.  To maintain consistent water pressure and distribution throughout the city, the Division also manages four booster pump stations.  Altogether, the Division is responsible for more than 220 miles of underground water mains and service piping.
  
  Water samples are collected regularly and tested for a wide range of potential contaminants, including bacteria, chemicals, heavy metals, and other substances regulated by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP).  The annually published Consumer Confidence Report summarizes the results of all water quality tests conducted throughout the year and provides important information about the city’s water sources, treatment processes, and compliance with regulatory requirements.
  
  
• Administrative: The administrative team serves as the operational backbone of the DPW, providing essential support to all Divisions through centralized management of personnel, finance, communications, and customer service.  The staff is responsible for a wide range of internal functions, including work orders, payments to vendors, payroll processing, budgeting, scheduling, and departmental reporting.  In addition to internal operations, the staff also acts as the primary point of contact for Westfield residents, businesses, and community organizations seeking information or assistance related to DPW services. 

Emergency Calls

Emergency calls after hours or on weekends should be referred to the Westfield Police Department. You can call them at (413) 562-5411.