GEM Corps & Public Works: What is Public Works?

As GEM Corps continues collaborating with Public Works, our team wanted to share more about what exactly Public Works is! Public Works is a government agency responsible for many public functions such as waste management, maintenance/monitoring of public structures, utilities, and much more. 

For example, Public Works is heavily involved in establishing the Yavapai County Scenic and Historic Routes program and various road construction projects around town. In the context of GEM Corps’ projects, these projects are considered “utility operations,” and more specifically, stormwater management. 

Utility operations and stormwater management are used and seen by the public every day, especially during monsoon season! For example, when water flows next to a curb during a significant rain, it is monitored by Public Works. GEM Corps is especially interested in this type of work because of its impact on the ecosystem inside and outside Prescott's seemingly ever-growing urban environment. Among the countless benefits for urban growth, these tremendous environmental efforts are why we got involved in a few projects with Public Works.

​If you are interested in learning more about these efforts on a local and national level, visit these resources for more information:

• Rainwater Harvesting:
  https://www.prescott-az.gov/water-sewer/water-conservation/rainwater-harvesting/
• General Green Infrastructure Information:
  https://watershedmg.org/learn/resource-library?field_resources_tid%5B%5D=5
• COP Water Conservation Rebate Program:
  https://www.prescott-az.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Homeowners-Guide_Final_LMH-8-19-19.pdf
• COP Rainwater Harvesting Installation Guide:
  https://www.prescott-az.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Homeowners-Guide_Final_LMH-8-19-19.pdf