DPW to Conduct Routine Hydrant Flushing Starting April 1, 2024

The City of Portsmouth Department of Public Works Water Division begins its seasonal routine flushing of fire hydrants and water mains on Monday, April 1, 2024. The flushing will take place at various locations, Monday through Thursday, between 7 am and 11 pm, and is expected to take six weeks to complete.

The flushing program is critical for maintaining water quality throughout the distribution system by removing sediment buildup in 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. Flushing locations are indicated by the presence of DPW Water Division vehicles with flashing lights.

Hydrant flushing can result in discoloration in tap water, but the water remains safe. Once flushing is completed in their area, customers can check their water clarity by running cold water to flush their plumbing systems. If the discoloration persists, customers should use the DPW Click ‘n’ Fix system portsnh.co/clickfix to ensure a prompt response.

For information about the City of Portsmouth DPW Water Division, visit: portsnh.co/Water.

Contact Al Pratt, Water Resource Manager at 603-520-0622 or Mason Caceres, Water Quality Specialist at 603-312-3804.