The Department of Public Works (DPW) provides essential services to the 30,000 citizens of Northampton. We operate on a 24 hour-basis with pagers and night staffing when conditions warrant.
The Board of Public Works is the volunteer committee that helps to set and implement policy at the DPW.
Our primary areas of responsibility include the repair, maintenance and improvement of:
Water supply
- Watershed management and preservation
- A water filtration and treatment facility
- 154 miles of water pipes
- 1000 water valves
- 1625 fire hydrants
- 8000 water meters
Streets
- 150 miles of paved streets
- 15 miles of unpaved (gravel) public ways
- 70 miles of sidewalks and crosswalks
- 20 bridges
- signs and traffic control systems
- mosquito control
Sewer System
- 115 miles of sewer pipes
- 5328 manholes
- a wastewater treatment facility
Storm Drainage System
- 4841 catch basins
- 114 miles of drainage pipes
- 330 outfalls
- 190 culverts
Engineering
- planning, design and construction management
- survey-grade GPS & regional basestation
- GIS mapping for all divisions
- infrastructure record-keeping
- regional landfill
- recycling
- flood control system
Regional Landfill
- serving over 40 communities
- fully lined with leachate collection system
- 50,000 tons/yr capacity
- methane to electricity conversion
Parks & Cemeteries
- 120 acres of recreational fields
- 3 miles of bicycle paths
- Musante Beach Recreational Facility
- 4 City cemeteries
Vehicle Maintenance
- over 90 heavy-duty vehicles and construction equipment
Administration and Purchasing
- supporting all DPW divisions
- water and sewer billing of 8000 accounts
The DPW is also responsible for rapid response to all snow, ice and other inclement weather conditions, including flood control and public tree damage.

