Protecting the Environment
Protecting the county’s land and water from pollution represents the most basic aspect of environmental protection. To control the sheer magnitude of industrial and residential solid waste and wastewater generated by our society demands a coordinated, comprehensive and forward-looking approach. The Monroe County Department of Environmental Services (DES) combines advanced wastewater and solid waste management into one sophisticated and proactive organization.
The staff members of these divisions work together, both in the office and out in the field, to minimize the adverse impacts that our county’s population has on its surrounding land and waterways.
The Divisions of DES
- Pure Waters
- Solid Waste
- Geographic Information System (GIS)
- Engineering and Facilities Management
- Fleet Maintenance
Contact Information
Department of Environmental Services
- Pure Waters: 585 760-7600
- Billing Inquiries: 585 760-7600 (option #2)
- Sewer Maintenance: 585 760-7600 (option #1)
- Industrial Waste (spills, emergencies, violations and permits): 585 760-7600 (option #4)
- Household Hazardous Waste Disposal: 585 760-7600 (Option #3)
Wastewater Treatment Facilities
- Frank E. VanLare: 585 760-7600
- VanLare Odor Hotline: 585 760-7635
- Northwest Quadrant: 585 392-1700
- Northwest Odor Hotline: 585 760-7635
Solid Waste Inquiries
- General Information: 585 760-7600
- Chet the Cheetah Recorded Info line: 585 340-CHET
- Tours and Presentations: 585 760-7526
- Recycling Center (Metro Waste Paper): 585 527-8110
- Environmental Education: 585 760-7526
- Transfer Station: 585 277-1645
- Mill Seat Landfill: 585 494-3000
Recent DES Accomplishments
- 1997:
Greater Rochester International Airport Glycol Capture System goes into operation. The system protects the Genesee River by capturing and treating glycol-contaminated runoff from the airport. - 1998:
County-operated Gates-Chili-Ogden Wastewater Treatment Facility is decommissioned and replaced with a pump station and force main. A pollution point source to the Genesee River is ended. - 1999-2000:
Trenchless technology methods used to replace/refurbish sewer pipe. These methods allowed 25 century-old Pine Oak trees in Rochester to be saved from destruction.
Combined Sewer Overflow Abatement Program (CSOAP)
In 1993, a massive underground wastewater tunnel system became fully operational, completing over 20 years of design and construction. This Combined Sewer Overflow Abatement Program (CSOAP) has drastically improved the quality of Rochester area waters by virtually eliminating the 60-70 annual sewer overflows that had occurred prior to its existence. The county took advantage of federal and state programs, which paid for nearly 88 percent of the tunnel system’s $550 million design and construction costs. This tunnel system, along with Pure Water’s expanding sewer collection system, has allowed for the connection of county towns and villages and the elimination of 31 of 40 small, inefficient treatment plants discharging to local waters. The Pure Waters system has become a model to other communities nationwide.
Environmental Facilities Tours
Tours of the Monroe County Recycling Center, located at 384 Lee Road, can be scheduled for community, scouting and school groups. Similar tours of Monroe County wastewater treatment facilities and the Mill Seat Landfill are subject to the operational, seasonal, and maintenance schedules of each facility.
To set up a Recycling Center or Wastewater Treatment Facility tour, call 585 760-7526. A tour of the Mill Seat Landfill can be arranged by calling 585 494-3000. When calling, please be prepared with the following information:
- Name of your organization
- Number of people in your group
- Audience interests and age range
- Phone number of a contact person
- Two alternate dates
