Public Works

The Public Works Agency delivers a wide range of essential services that support daily life and long-term infrastructure throughout the community. The agency is organized into three bureaus, each focused on a core area of City operations.

Bureaus

Public Services: Maintains streets, alleys, and sidewalks, oversees forestry, refuse, and recycling services, and supports the care of parks and greenways across the City.

Capital Planning and Engineering: Leads citywide capital planning, engineering, and the delivery of major infrastructure and construction projects.

Water Production: Manages the Evanston Water Treatment Plant and maintains the City’s water and sewer infrastructure.

Website Sections

The Public Works Agency webpage is organized into five sections to help residents easily find information, services, and project updates.

Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Projects: Each year, the City invests millions in infrastructure through its Capital Improvement Program. In 2026, projects include transportation, bike, facility, park, street, water, sewer, and water system improvements. Residents can review plans and reports, view recently completed projects, track active construction, and sign up for project updates.

Engineering & Construction: Features ongoing and planned projects related to streets, water, sewer, transportation, parks, buildings, and water systems, including neighborhood infrastructure improvements and capital planning efforts.

Services: Covers day-to-day services such as alley maintenance, snow removal, and street cleaning to keep neighborhoods safe and accessible year-round. This section also includes block party coordination, forestry and tree preservation, waste services, mobile water stations, right-of-way permits, Veterans Memorial Wall requests, and other public-facing services.

Public Outreach: Highlights Public Works education and outreach initiatives focused on water and sewer services, stormwater management, urban forestry and tree health, pest management, historical PFAS results, volunteer opportunities, and more.

Plans, Programs, & Policies: Provides access to the plans, reports, and policies that guide Public Works services and project development, including Water & Sewer Annual Reports, the Consumer Confidence Report, and key internal and external policies such as Cross Connection Control, Utility Financial Assistance Programs, the Shopping Bag Ordinance, Commercial and Business Services, and more.