DPW Press Releases

The City of Portsmouth Department of Public Works is planning to dig five trenches near the Shaw Warehouse in Prescott Park, starting October 17, 2022, as part of the investigation required to implement the Prescott Park Master Plan. The work will be conducted in conjunction with the project consultant Weston & Sampson and archaeology firm Independent Archaeological Consulting, LLC (IAC). The work is expected to take several days, starting at 9 am (weather-permitting) each day.

Portsmouth Public Schools start a new school year on Tuesday, August 30 and drivers are urged to be extra cautious on city streets and to watch for crossing guards at key locations around the city. The City’s elementary schools are in session from 8 am to 2:30 pm. The middle school and high school start at 8:30 am and release at 3:15 pm. Crossing guards are posted between 7:35 and 8:35 am and between 2:25 and 3:45 pm, Monday through Friday.

Seacoast Area Now in Severe Drought

The City of Portsmouth DPW Water Division has published its 2021 Drinking Water Quality Report, with copies posted on the City website.  

Portsmouth report

The Portsmouth Department of Public Works will hold its biannual Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day on Saturday, May 21, 2022, at the Public Works facility at 680 Peverly Hill Road. Residents of Portsmouth, Greenland and Newington are encouraged to bring household chemicals for safe disposal between 8 am and 12 noon. Proof of residency is required.

The City of Portsmouth Department of Public Works expects contractor Severino Construction to start work affecting City streets in the Sagamore Avenue Sewer Extension Project area on Monday, May 16, 2022. This project will be ongoing through December 2022. Construction will impact parts of Sagamore Avenue, Shaw Road, Cliff Road and Walker Bungalow Road, with excavation work starting on Sagamore Avenue and continuing onto the other streets as work advances.

Portsmouth and Pease International Tradeport Drinking Water Status Report, First Quarter 2022

The week of May 1-7, 2022 is National Drinking Water Week and the City of Portsmouth and Safe Water Advisory Group are presenting a free Community Water Forum on Tuesday, May 3, 2022 from 6 to 8 pm in City Hall Council Chambers. The public is also able to participate via Zoom, with advance registration.

The Mosquito Control Program begins monitoring on April 11, 2022 in the City of Portsmouth. Crews from Dragon Mosquito Control, Inc., the City’s contracted service, will be checking swamps, salt marshes, woodland pools, ditches, catch basins and other shallow, stagnant water for mosquito larvae.

When mosquito larvae are found, treatment may occur using one or more of the following: