Not all heroes wear capes; some wear hard hats

Oxford County acknowledges hardworking Public Works professionals during National Public Works Week: May 21-27

Every day, public works staff play an essential role in supporting the quality of life for all Oxford County residents. Morning, noon and night, these dedicated professionals are working behind the scenes whenever someone turns on a faucet, flushes a toilet, uses a public facility, recycles a tin can or drives to work. They make our communities great places to live, work and play.

Oxford County Public Works builds infrastructure and provides safe and clean drinking water, effective and responsible wastewater treatment, innovative waste management programs and maintains the County’s transportation network. Public works staff also manage and maintain County-operated buildings across Oxford County, from new builds to historical landmarks.

Since 1960, municipalities across Canada have recognized National Public Works Week and used the occasion to offer insight into essential public works services. This year’s theme is “Connecting the World,” highlighting how public works connect us all through infrastructure and service, enhancing the quality of life for the communities these professionals serve.

From May 21-27, Oxford County celebrates National Public Works Week and the essential services our public works professionals provide daily. Learn more at www.oxfordcounty.ca, or visit our social media channels throughout the week for service highlights.

Quick facts

• The Oxford County Waste Management Facility manages approximately 80,000 tonnes of material annually, of which 45% was diverted from its landfill in 2022.

• Public Works is responsible for 11 wastewater and 17 municipal drinking water systems. All public works managers and employees involved in the drinking water supply are responsible for understanding, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving the municipal drinking water Quality Management System.

• Oxford’s Engineering Services oversees capital delivery of approximately $87 million of infrastructure annually and maintains 310 County-owned facilities. Nineteen different solar power systems have been installed over the past decade, which currently generate over 3,667,000 kWh of renewable energy each year (equivalent power to provide 76 medium size single-family homes with all their energy needs, including heating, cooling and electricity).

• Public works crews maintain 47 different arterial roads in the County, spanning about 1,331 lane kilometres. This is almost the equivalent of driving from Woodstock to Saguenay, Quebec.

Social media and online content

Twitter: Oxford County

Facebook: Oxford County

Instagram: OxfordCoutyCA

About Oxford County

Located in the heart of southwestern Ontario at the crossroads of Highways 401 and 403, Oxford County has a population of approximately 130,000 people across eight area municipalities that are “growing stronger together.” As a partnership-oriented, two-tier municipal government, Oxford County is emerging as a leader in sustainable growth through the Future Oxford Community Sustainability Plan and County Council’s commitment to achieving 100% renewable energy, becoming a zero-waste community and working towards zero poverty. Situated in one of Ontario’s richest areas for farmland, agriculture is a key industry that is driving innovation in sustainable industries and diversifying the local economy. Oxford County offers a thriving local arts, culture and culinary community, as well as conservation parks, natural areas and more than 100 kilometres of scenic trails. The Oxford County Administration Building is located in Woodstock, Ontario. Visit www.oxfordcounty.ca or follow our social media sites at www.oxfordcounty.ca/social. Oxford County’s Strategic Plan is at oxfordcounty.ca/strategicplan.