CITY OF FERNDALE
Public Works
Ferndale’s Department of Public Works (DPW) maintains the cleanliness and safety of the City. They oversee waste and recycling services, water and service line repairs, seasonal yard waste, leaf pickup, snow removal and emergencies, rainwater and flooding, and maintenance of the sidewalks and roads.
Current Water Service Issues
CONTACT
Department of Public Works
Ferndale Public Works
521 E. Cambourne
Ferndale, MI 48220
248-546-2519
dpwservice@ferndalemi.gov
Trash Collection
Residential garbage collection is provided weekly throughout the city. Trash should be properly bagged and placed at the curb prior to collection day in approved containers.
Containers must:
- Be 35 gallons or less
- Have secure lids and handles
- Contain bagged waste only
- Weigh no more than 50 pounds
Loose trash, overflowing containers, and materials placed outside containers are among the most common collection issues. Containers should be placed in visible and accessible locations and not blocked by parked vehicles.
To schedule special garbage pickups, including pickups outside your regular collection day or unusually large quantities of waste, residents should contact Car Trucking directly at 586-791-8480.
Recycling
Ferndale provides weekly curbside recycling service through SOCRRA. Residents are encouraged to use the Waste Wizard tool to determine what materials are accepted and how items should be prepared.
Plastic bags should never be placed in recycling carts. Contamination remains one of the largest challenges within the recycling stream and reduces the effectiveness of the program.
In 2025, Ferndale residents diverted approximately 1,518 tons of material through recycling. Increasing participation and reducing contamination helps reduce landfill waste and supports long-term sustainability goals.
Yard Waste & Brush Chipping
Seasonal yard waste collection is provided annually from spring through mid-December and includes grass clippings, leaves, and small branches. Yard waste must be separated from trash and recycling and placed in approved containers or paper yard waste bags.
Brush chipping service is also available for larger branches. Brush should be neatly stacked at the curb and prepared as follows:
- Up to 4 inches in diameter
- 4 feet or less in length
- Branches smaller than 2 inches in diameter should be placed with regular yard waste collection.
Residents may not blow grass clippings, leaves, or debris into the street or onto neighboring properties. Violations may result in enforcement action.
Fall Leaf Pickup
The City provides seasonal curbside leaf collection each fall. Leaves are collected weekly one business day before your scheduled trash pickup day during the active collection season.
Leaves must:
- Be placed in the gutter near the curb
- Be free of debris such as sticks, rocks, and grass
- Be set out by 7:00 a.m.
Loose leaves placed in the street outside the collection season may result in enforcement action and may create drainage or traffic hazards.
FEATURED SERVICE
Sidewalk Hardship Application
Use this form to apply for assistance with your 2025/2026 sidewalk special assessment.
FEATURED SERVICE
SeeClickFix
SeeClickFix is a fast and easy way to report issues such as downed trees, sidewalk repairs, flooding, and more.
Need to Start or Stop Your Water Service?
To register for water services at your property, please fill out the Application for Water/Sewer Service Form.
To Stop your water services at your property, please fill out the Final Water Bill Request Form.
Link Center / Relevant Services / PDFs
Public Works Department FAQs
For additional questions, contact the Public Works Department at 248-546-2519.
- New Year’s Day
- Memorial Day
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
If your collection day falls on one of these holidays, please set your garbage containers at the curb the following day. This also includes the remainder of the days of that week following the holiday. Please note: If a holiday falls on a Sunday, collection will not be affected or delayed.
- Radioactive materials--call the Oakland County Health office at 248-424-7093.
- Hazardous materials like volatile cleaning fluids, chemicals, acids, caustics, drugs, explosives, poisons, and batteries; call SOCRRA at 248-288-5153.
- Roofing--call a local transfer station
- Vehicles engines or transmissions. Call a local salvage yard.
- Construction or building materials
- Dirt and rocks--call a local transfer station.
- Auto tires
Yes. Bulk items shall not be placed at the curb for pickup before 4:00 p.m. the day before your collection day. Bulk items include appliances such as washers, dryers, hot water tanks, air conditions, refrigerators, and furniture. Doors to bulk items shall be removed before being taken to the curb for pickup.
Paints, garden chemicals, automotive products, antifreeze, household cleaners, solvents, insulin syringes, and other hazardous household materials may be accepted by appointment only.
If you are a resident and need these hazardous materials removed, contact SOCRRA's Special Household Waste Hotline for a collection appointment at 248-288-5153.
As an alternative to bagging and curbside pickup, many residents enjoy the natural benefits of composting. Check out the Compost Pilot Program page to learn how to get involved.
Our Department of Public Works (DPW) services all Ferndale residences. Simply rake your leaves to the curb by 7:00 a.m. on the Monday of your scheduled week's pickup and DPW will be by before the end of the week to vacuum them.
The City of Ferndale's curbside leaf pickup runs annually from roughly the third week of October through the beginning of December. Dates vary by year; this year's dates and other important information are published on the leaf pickup page.
Pipes can freeze due to a sudden drop in temperature, poor insulation, or thermostats set too low. Both plastic and copper pipes can burst, and recovering from frozen pipes is not as simple as calling a plumber. According to AAA, a 1/8-inch crack in a pipe can spew up to 250 gallons of water a day, causing flooding, serious structural damage, and the potential for mold.
If your water pipes have already burst, turn off the water at the main shutoff valve in the house. Leave the water faucets turned on. Make sure everyone in your family knows where the water shutoff valve is and how to open and close it.
Here are some tips to protect your pipes ahead of time:
- Seal leaks around pipes that allow cold air inside. Look for air leaks around electrical wiring, dryer vents, and pipes; use caulk or insulation to keep the cold out.
- Disconnect garden hoses. If possible, use an indoor valve to shut off and drain water from pipes leading to outside faucets. This reduces the chance of freezing in pipes just inside the house.
- If a deep freeze is expected, let warm water drip overnight, preferably from a faucet on an outside wall. Just a trickle may keep your pipes from freezing.
- Keep your thermostat set at the same temperature day and night. You might be in the habit of turning down the heat when you're asleep, but further temperature drops—more common overnight—could catch you off guard and freeze your pipes.
- Open cabinet doors to allow heat to get to uninsulated pipes under sinks and to appliances near exterior walls.
If your water pressure seems low, contact the DPW Water Department at 248-546-2514 to see if work is being performed in your area. You may also contact Water Department Billing at 248-546-2374 to see if your service has been impacted or discontinued due to nonpayment.
In October of 2020, City Council signed a resolution against the use of anticoagulant rodenticides as part of maintenance programs for City-owned parks and facilities and recognized that the use of anticoagulant pesticides is harmful to our community environment. The City’s DPW discourages the use of anticoagulants and serves as a model in promoting alternative means of pest control on public property. The full resolution can be found here.