YUMA, Ariz. – The City of Yuma Public Works Department has earned full accreditation from the American Public Works Association (APWA), a national recognition awarded to public works agencies that demonstrate excellence in management, operations, and service delivery.
To achieve full accreditation, agencies must meet at least 95% of APWA’s established best practice standards. The City’s Public Works Department earned a 100% compliance rating, meeting every standard during the evaluation process.
“Achieving APWA accreditation is a major milestone for our organization and a testament to the dedication of every member of the Public Works team,” said City of Yuma Public Works Director Joel Olea. “Most importantly, it reaffirms our commitment to delivering reliable, high-quality services that our residents can depend on every day.”
With this recognition, the City of Yuma becomes one of just seven accredited public works agencies in Arizona, along with Buckeye, Chandler, Coconino County, Mohave County, Peoria, and Surprise.
The accreditation remains valid for four years and requires semi-annual updates to ensure ongoing progress and compliance. After that time, the department will undergo a full re-accreditation review to continue improving operations and staying current with industry standards.
The City of Yuma Public Works Department is made up of four divisions: Administration, Streets, Solid Waste, and Fleet Services. Together, these teams manage critical services such as roadway maintenance, trash and recycling collection, and the upkeep of City vehicles and equipment.
With approximately 110 employees, Public Works supports the community by maintaining infrastructure, ensuring reliable waste services, and keeping streets safe and clean. The department also assists residents through Yuma Click & Fix, an online tool for reporting non-emergency issues such as street repairs, graffiti, vandalism, streetlight outages, road sign repairs and more.
About APWA
The American Public Works Association (APWA) represents professionals across all areas of public works. With more than 32,000 members worldwide, APWA includes individuals from local, county, state, and federal agencies, as well as private-sector professionals who support public works operations.
