People. Purpose. Presence. Public Works Week 2025

Oxford County celebrates hardworking Public Works professionals during National Public Works Week: May 18-24

Every day, public works staff play a vital role in supporting quality of life for everyone in Oxford County. Morning, noon and night, these dedicated professionals work behind the scenes to keep things running smoothly, whenever someone turns on a faucet, flushes a toilet, drives to work, recycles a tin can, or uses a public facility.

Oxford County Public Works builds and maintains the infrastructure that delivers safe, clean drinking water, treats wastewater, manages and diverts waste from the landfill, and maintains and improves the County’s transportation network. The team also oversees County-owned buildings, from modern facilities to historic landmarks.

Since 1960, communities across Canada have used National Public Works Week (NPWW) to raise awareness about the essential services delivered by public works professionals. This year’s theme, “People, Purpose, Presence,” speaks to what drives public works professionals in everything they do: serving the people in our communities with a clear sense of purpose and a steady presence that, while often unseen, makes a meaningful difference in daily life.

From May 18 to 24, Oxford County proudly celebrates National Public Works Week and the contributions of its dedicated staff. Follow along on social media throughout the week for spotlights on their work.

Quick facts 

• In 2024, the Oxford County Waste Management Facility managed approximately 82,800 tonnes of material, diverting 35,010 tonnes from landfill through various programs. This resulted in an overall landfill diversion rate of approximately 46%.
• 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 County’s Engineering Services oversees the delivery of approximately $104 million in capital infrastructure annually and manages 296 County-owned and operated buildings across 194 sites. In 2024, the County’s 26 renewable energy systems — including solar, biogas, geothermal, and solar thermal — generated 5.6 million kilowatt-hours of energy. That’s enough to power approximately 115 medium-sized single-family homes in southwestern Ontario for a year.
• Public Works maintains approximately 1,335 lane kilometres of regional roads across Oxford County. That’s roughly the same distance as driving from Woodstock to Fredericton, New Brunswick.

Social media and online content

Twitter: Oxford County
Facebook: Oxford County
Instagram: OxfordCountyCA

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 140,000 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.