Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/tag/dpw/)
Watertown residents can put their Christmas trees out for pickup through Jan. 19. See more details in the announcement from the City of Watertown, below. The Department of Public Works (DPW) will be picking up Christmas trees through the week of Monday, January 19, 2026. To ensure your tree is collected, remove all ornaments, lights, and decorations and place it on the curb on your designated trash and recycling day.
Details of the trash, recycling, and yard waste collection for 2026 are available in the Department of Public Works’ calendar. The calendars were mailed to homes and are available online. See details in the announcement sent out by the City of Watertown, below. 2026 Trash and Recycling Calendars
Please be aware that the 2026 Trash and Recycling Calendar will be arriving in your mailbox soon. In addition to the calendar showing which days your trash, recycling and yard waste will be picked up, there is also useful information about composting, how to dispose of mattresses, furniture, clothing and TVs, the hours and location of the Recycle Center and what you can bring there, and a guide to what materials are and are not recyclable.
City buildings will close early on Wednesday and will remain closed through the Thanksgiving. Some will be closed on Friday, as well. See details in the announcement from the City of Watertown. Watertown City Hall, Parker Building*, and Senior Center will be closed from 12:30pm November 26 through November 28, 2025. * Inspectional Services, and Zoning and Code Enforcement will be closed from 11:30am November 26 through November 28, 2025.
Watertown’s Department of Public Works will host an open house on Tuesday, May 20 at the DPW Facility on Orchard Street. See more in the announcement from the City of Watertown below. Watch the walk-and-talk with DPW Director, Tom Brady in preparation for the DPW Open House event with the Watertown Public Works team on May 20, 2025 at 5-7:30 p.m. at 124 Orchard Street in Watertown! View this post on Instagram A post shared by City of Watertown, MA (@watertownmagov)
Watch and hear about Tom’s career, his inspirations, his dogs, and more. Have a question for the Public Works team?
Water service was restored to residents of the East End on Tuesday afternoon several hours after a water main break near Coolidge Square. The announcement from the City about the water supply main break went out at about 10:40 a.m. on April 22. The break occurred at Elton and Nichols avenues. Repairs were completed by the Department of Public Works Tuesday afternoon, with the announcement going out at about 3:30 p.m.
The City advised residents that their water may be impacted by the break, including being discolored. “If your water is discolored, it is recommended to run your cold water through a faucet until it clears up,” the announcement from the City said.
The following information was provided by the Department of Public Works:
Watertown Public Works will be hosting an Earth Day Event on Saturday April 19, 2025, from 10:00am – 2:00pm at the Jewish Community Day School Parking Lot – 57 Stanley Ave, for Watertown residents only (bring your ID). The event includes paper shredding, $25 mattress recycling, free dehumidifier turn in, styrofoam collection, a clothing drive, finished compost/soil give away, and baby oak trees giveaway. Mattress Recycling
HandUp, a mattress recycler, will be offering a discount on mattress and box spring recycling. Each unit will be $25 (and the City will pay the other $25). This is a first come, first serve option, until the truck is full.
Watertown has a new Public Works Director. Find out more about him in the announcement provided by the City of Watertown. Watertown City Manager George Proakis is excited to announce the hiring of Thomas Brady as the new Director of Public Works! Mr. Brady returns to Watertown after 23 years with the Town of Brookline where he served as a key member of the Brookline Department of Public Works (DPW) team in the role of Urban Forestry Manager, Tree Warden and Town Arborist. Tom has overseen forestry operations, coordinated storm responses, provided oversight for utility projects, and represented Brookline on the extensive Muddy River Restoration Project – a 20-year $70 million public works improvement on the Boston/Brookline line that served the combined roles of addressing flood control, water quality improvement, conservation and historic preservation.
The Department of Public Works provided the following announcement:
The Water Department’s Annual Hydrant Fall Flushing Program is September 16 through October 24, 2024 between 7 to 11 p.m.
The purpose of flushing is to remove sediment build up in the water mains and to verify the safe operation of hydrants and valves. Flushing the system may cause discolored water. It is bacteriologically safe to drink, but unpleasant to look at. This situation can usually be resolved by running your cold water until it clears up. Locate the closest and lowest cold-water faucet in your building.