Public Works

The Department of Public Works is responsible for all activities relating to the planning, construction, maintenance, and operation of municipal utilities, public ways, garbage collection, city buildings, parks, and other physical properties of the city. The department's divisions include: Administration, Utilities, Public Services, Garage, Engineering, and GIS. The Director of Public Works is appointed by and responsible to the City Manger and appoints staff to assist the Parks Commission, the Environmental Committee, and General Aviation Commission.

The Administration Division maintains the records for the department and acts as liaison with the City Manager and City Council. The Director is responsible for all budgeting and personnel in the department. This division oversees all department functions and works with the public to resolve problems and fulfill citizen requests. This division also manages the Aiken Airport, Ventures Industrial Park, Verenes Industrial Park, Willow Run Business Park, Summit Business Park, and the Streetlight Division.

The Public Services Division is responsible for all garbage, trash, and recycling pickup in the city. This division also contains the Horticulture section that maintains all of the city street parkways and the Hopelands Gardens/Ryepatch Park. All tree trimming work is either performed by this section or contracted out to subcontractors that report to the city horticulturalist. The Public Services Division provides street sweeping for the city streets. Garage services needed to maintain all city vehicles are managed by this division.

The GIS Division produces city mapping for the public and other city departments. This section is responsible for all addressing and coordination with the county 911 agency for city addresses. This division also leads the department Changing Direction program for in house training of department employees.

The Right of Way Division maintains all water, sewer, and storm sewer mains in the city. This division oversees the production of water from the four city water treatment plants and maintains the waste water pump stations necessary for the sewer functioning in the city. All road way maintenance is performed by this division.

The Engineering Division reviews all development plans for development in the city. It also provides technical assistance to other departments with construction projects and is responsible for projects to renew water and sewer mains. This division works with the Planning Department on placement of new roads. Inspectors from this division inspect all utility and site construction in the city for compliance with city regulations. This division maintains the mapping archives for all utility and site work projects.