Water News

The City of Portsmouth Department of Public Works will dedicate the new Pease Water Treatment Facility located at 97 Grafton Drive in Portsmouth on Tuesday May 4, 2021 at 10:30 am.

Taking another significant step in its effort to protect the City of Portsmouth’s surface water supply by conserving lands surrounding the Bellamy Reservoir, the City’s Department of Public Works Water Division has partnered with Southeast Land Trust (SELT) to purchase a conservation easement on approximately 107 acres owned by Mary Ellen Duffy, adjacent to the Reservoir.

The Portsmouth DPW Water Division begins the routine flushing of the City’s fire hydrants and water mains on Monday, September 21. Flushing is scheduled between 7 pm and 11 pm, Monday through Thursday for the next six weeks. The flushing operation covers both public and private hydrants in Portsmouth, New Castle, Rye, Greenland and Newington. Crews open select fire hydrants, releasing water with enough velocity to carry sediment out of the pipes.

Due to ongoing drought conditions, the Portsmouth Department of Public Works Water Division is activating a water-use restrictions schedule. Effective immediately, the Water Division is asking customers to water lawns and gardens only between midnight and 10 am on odd-numbered days. There should be no outdoor watering on even-numbered days.

The Drought Monitor issued on August 18, 2020 elevated New Hampshire’s drought conditions in the Seacoast area to Severe Drought (D2), up from Moderate Drought conditions set on June 23, 2020. The New Hampshire Seacoast has received only 8 inches of precipitation since the beginning of May compared to the 14 inch average. The State has activated the Drought Management Task Force and has advised public water systems including Portsmouth’s to implement outdoor water use restrictions where needed.