DPW Press Releases

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.

Portsmouth DPW is preparing to begin preliminary engineering and field work for the Fleet Street Reconstruction Project. DPW hosts a Public Information Meeting on the project, via Zoom, on September 9 at 6:30 pm. For Zoom registration instructions, click here.

The venerable gilded mahogany eagle carved by Strawbery Banke Museum’s Ron Raiselis and restored by Jared Tuveson of Tuveson Studios in Rollinsford NH returned to the top of the Liberty Pole in Prescott Park this morning. This 38" tall, 36" wide eagle, the third since 1824, has watched over Portsmouth since 2002, turning on its perch with the wind thanks to the metal rod on which it can pivot. It was removed for restoration last September when the Liberty Pole was being repainted.

This past May, the state activated its Drought Management Task Force; and last week elevated New Hampshire’s drought conditions in the Seacoast area from Moderate to Severe Drought (D2) conditions. The Seacoast has received only 8 inches of precipitation since the beginning of May, compared to the 14-inch average usually experienced in that time. The Drought Management Task Force has advised public water systems including Portsmouth’s to implement outdoor water use restrictions where needed.

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.