Commissioner's Message
The Department of Environmental Services (DES) is committed to keeping Rochester's neighborhoods clean, safe, and accessible for all its residents. DES works hard each season of the year. From leaf collection in the fall, to snow plowing and holiday tree collection in the winter, and from Clean Sweep in spring to new road construction and tree trimming in the summer, the employees of our department work on almost every aspect of life in the City of Rochester. We dedicate each day to ensuring that neighborhoods are well-kept places that you can be happy to call "home."
About the Department of Environmental Services
DES is one of the City's largest departments with over 730 employees and an operating budget of approximately $82 million. Since 2006, DES has been under the leadership of Commissioner Paul Holahan, who has more than 32 years of public sector experience, including heading public works departments in two local towns. Under Commissioner Holahan's direction, the department strives to improve the quality of life for residents and make Rochester the best mid-sized city in the country.
Check out the links below for details on the outstanding services that DES provides:
Refuse and Recycling
Streets, Sidewalks and Infrastructure
Water Supply
Cemeteries
Department Organization