COQUITLAM, B.C., May 7, 2026 – Coquitlam’s public works professionals work 24/7 to maintain and advance quality of life for Coquitlam businesses and residents. This includes roads, water, sewer and drainage systems, vehicles and equipment, solid waste services and emergency response support.

During National Public Works Week (May 17–23), residents are invited to learn more about these services and how they support everyday life, including at a free, family-friendly open house on May 23.

Public Works Open House – Saturday, May 23 

Join us on Saturday, May 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Austin Operations Building, located at 500 Mariner Way (enter off Austin Avenue), to meet the team that provides the essential services that keep our community running, and learn all about the interesting work they do. 

The event is free and family-friendly with more than 15 exhibits including:

• Equipment and vehicles – Check out the City’s crane truck, vactor truck, and CCTV camera van - kids can enjoy an insider's view and sit inside.
• Environmental education – Learn how you can help keep our streams and creeks clean, as well as keep our urban wildlife safe.   
• In-house dispatch centre – See inside the 24/7 utility control centre where staff manage infrastructure work across the City as well as public works emergencies.
• Parks equipment road show – See the cool equipment that keeps Coquitlam’s parks looking their best, then have a blast playing with a variety of lawn games found in our outdoor park spaces.
• Animal shelter display – Learn about the City’s Animal Shelter and take a picture with our life-size cutout of a dog and cat.
• Kids’ activities – Gear up for a behind-the-scenes look at the equipment that powers daily operations, visit colouring and activity stations and more.
• Job opportunities – Meet with the City’s Human Resources team to explore current job openings, ask questions about the hiring process, and discover career paths within the City. Learn how you can contribute to meaningful work that supports our community.

Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Details at coquitlam.ca/PublicWorks.

Public Works in Action 

Coquitlam residents appreciate the essential services provided by the Public Works division as reported in the City’s most recent Community Satisfaction Survey, receiving the overall highest satisfaction ratings (90% or more) as well as being rated as the overall most important of City services (90% or more). 

In 2025, the Public Works team:

• Handled 10,203 service requests and work orders
• Cleaned 101 km of watermains and 104 km of sanitary sewers
• Swept 7,040 km of roads
• Maintained 1,627 km of pipe and 74 facilities
• Provided 303 litres of total water per capita each day
• Managed bi-weekly garbage and weekly organics pickup from over 25,800 homes
• Diverted 69% of household waste from the landfill through recycling and organic waste programs 
• Recycled over 2,200 mattresses as part of the City’s Large Item Pickup program

The City’s road, drainage and water systems stretch thousands of kilometres and contain a variety of elements that Public Works monitors and maintains, including:

• 1,147 lane km of asphalt and 603 km of sidewalk
• Over 579 km of storm water mains/culverts and 3.2 km of dikes maintained by the City 
• Over 524 km of water mains, 2,831 hydrants, 6,717 valves, 10 reservoirs, 1,229 institutional and commercial water meters, 11 water pump stations, 27,800 water service connections and 50 pressure-regulating chambers

For more information, visit coquitlam.ca/PublicWorks.

Media contact:
Inder Tung 
Manager, Public Works
604-927-3500 
epw@coquitlam.ca

We acknowledge with gratitude and respect that the name Coquitlam was derived from the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ (HUN-kuh-MEE-num) word kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (kwee-KWET-lum) meaning “Red Fish Up the River”. The City is honoured to be located on the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm traditional and ancestral lands, including those parts that were historically shared with the q̓ic̓əy̓ (kat-zee), and other Coast Salish Peoples.