National Public Works Week

"Connecting the World Through Public Works"

This year's NPWW theme is "Connecting the World Through Public Works." This theme highlights the way public works professionals connect us physically, through infrastructure, and inspirationally, through service to their communities, whether as first responders, or daily workers carrying out their duties with pride.

What is Public Works?

Wondering what public works is all about? It's more than plowing snow and collecting waste! Check out the videos below to learn more about public works and the many interesting careers in this field.

What is Public Works?

I am Public Works

Past Awards

2021 NPWW

In 2021, the Engineering Services Department engaged with the community in new ways for NPWW, during a global pandemic. The department created a NPWW webpage with informative videos, a digital puzzle, and downloadable colouring pages. The unveiling of the Badley Bridge Sculpture Plaque was live-streamed on social media, and staff conducted virtual classroom presentations to local schools about food waste reduction. People were also encouraged to place messages in their window thanking public works staff for their essential work. The County promoted the work of the Engineering Services Department through newspaper, radio, and billboard advertisements, social media postings and promotional material.

The County was honoured to win the Canadian Public Works Association (CPWA) NPWW award for a community of 100,000 or more.

2019 NPWW

The Engineering Services Department participated in NPWW for the first time in 2019. The department hosted a number of public events during NPWW that included an Adopt-A-Road Awareness Day, Riverstown Waste Facility Open House and Tour, Drayton Roads Garage Grand Opening and a Composting Workshop. The department also participated in an Ontario Public Works Association truck rodeo event, hosted a public works themed United Way barbeque and promoted the work of the Roads and Solid Waste Services Divisions through newspaper advertisements, web postings and promotional material.

The County was honoured to win three awards for its NPWW efforts in 2019. 

• Awarded by the Canadian Public Works Association (CPWA):
• Canadian First Time Entry
• Community of 30,000 to 99,999
• Awarded by the Ontario Public Works Association (OPWA)
  • Roger Brown Award for municipalities with populations of 150,000 or less

Riverstown Landfill and Waste Facility Tours

Tours

Students from WHSS will be touring Riverstown Landfill and County Waste Facilities. The intent of the tour is to educate on how a landfill operates and explore the diversion programmes the County provides. The tour will highlight the unique features and programmes in place at the waste facility. We hope to encourage students to consider a future career in the waste industry.

Wednesday, May 24:

Adopt-A-Road Staff Clean-Up

County staff will take part in a roadside litter clean-up along a County Road. This is a great team-building activity that also benefits the environment.

Adopt-a-Road

Have you heard about the County's Adopt-A-Road programme? You "adopt" a section of a County road and make a commitment to keep it clean. It's a great way to develop some civic pride by keeping your community clean and respecting the surrounding natural environment. The County provides a safety seminar and all the required supplies for roadside litter clean-up. Interested? Visit the Adopt-A-Road page for more information or contact the Roads Division at 519.837.2601.

Already adopted a road? Plan your next roadside litter clean-up and contact your area Roads Supervisor today!

Thursday, May 25:

Solid Waste Services Classroom Presentations

School Presentations

Our Solid Waste Services Programmes Coordinator is out and about in the County, and will be delivering interactive, hands-on, in-person education programmes to better explain how public works employees help deliver vital services.

Subject areas of Science, Geography, and Arts curriculum will be discussed in relation to Solid Waste Services provided in Wellington County.  Issues concerning protection of natural resources, waste diversion and circular economies, and employing new technologies will be explored.

Are you a teacher in Wellington County that would be interested in a Solid Waste Services presentation for your class? Contact Solid Waste Services at wasteinfo@wellington.ca or 519.837.2601.

Friday, May 26:

Touch-A-Truck Event

Touch-A-Truck Event

County-owned childcare centres will be visited by several Roads and Solid Waste trucks. The children will get to see these fascinating trucks up close, while celebrating the staff who drive and operate this equipment every day!

Saturday, May 27:

Backyard Composting and Organics Public Workshops

Workshops 

Join us at Fergus Branch and Hillsburgh Branch Libraries to learn more about successful composting techniques and how to use your finished compost. 

Fergus Branch - 10:30am to 11:30am 

Hillsburgh Branch - 1:30pm to 2:30pm

Register on the Wellington County Library Event Page.