Water News

WA

Portsmouth Water Division offers update on PFAS regulations

January 3, 2019

On December 31, 2018, the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) initiated rulemaking to establish Maximum Contaminate Levels (MCLs) and Ambient Groundwater Quality Standards (AGQS) for four per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) - perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) and perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) to ensure greater protection of public health related to the consumption of drinking water.

WA

Portsmouth acquires large conservation easement near Bellamy Reservoir to assist water quality efforts

December 19, 2018

The City of Portsmouth’s Water Division is pleased to announce the acquisition of a conservation easement on 72 acres of property adjacent to the Bellamy Reservoir in Madbury, New Hampshire from Dave Olson. This easement was realized through the combined efforts of the City, the Southeast Land Trust (SELT), the Town of Madbury and the State of New Hampshire’s Drinking Water and Groundwater Trust Fund.

WA

November 2018 Water Supply Status Report

November 7, 2018

Higher than normal precipitation over the past three months have caused the quantity of available groundwater and surface water to be greater than normal for this time of year. The quality of the surface water has greatly improved and stabilized since the dynamic water quality changes that occurred in late September and October.

WA

Portsmouth and the U.S. Air Force move forward with next phase of upgrading Pease Tradeport water treatment

September 14, 2018

The City of Portsmouth and the United States Air Force have recently signed their latest agreement to treat perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) from water supplied by the Smith, Harrison and Haven Wells serving the Pease Tradeport drinking water system. The agreement will provide the City with up to $14.3 million to reimburse the cost of construction of the final treatment system for all three wells, which will include a dual filtration system consisting of resin and granular activated carbon filters. 

WA

September 2018 Water Supply Status Report

September 5, 2018

While significant rainfall at the end of July into August was beneficial at the time for Portsmouth’s water supply, the current warm and dry conditions increases water supply demands and places further stress to treat quality issues due to added organics within the water.