Portsmouth Water Division Releases Annual Drinking Water Quality Reports

Each year, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires community water systems to deliver a Consumer Confidence Report – also known as an Annual Drinking Water Quality Report – to their customers. These reports, which are mailed out to water customers by July 1st, provide information about their drinking water quality including a summary of detected contaminants from the previous year, compliance, and educational information.

While in previous years the Annual Drinking Water Quality Report has been in the form of one report, this year three separate Quality Reports will be distributed to customers that are tailored to the Portsmouth, Pease Tradeport and New Castle areas. “Water quality – rightfully so – has received a lot of focus in recent years due to the introduction of new regulations and the PFAS contamination at the Haven Well in Pease,” said Deputy Public Works Director Brian Goetz. “The Water Division understands that our various water treatment processes and discussions of contaminants can be very overwhelming for the community. We’re hopeful that creating reports specific to a customer’s water system will be more comprehensive and informative for the public.”

In addition to separating the reports based on these three water systems, this year customers can expect expanded information and data within each report. Some notable points include data regarding the Pease Tradeport PFAS contamination, and information about the lead sampling and corrosion control programs. Out of all three reports, there was only one contaminant violation reported in New Castle in regards to Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs); TTHMs are byproducts of the water disinfection process which are formed as a result of chlorine reactions with organics in the water. While the measurement of TTHMs was just over the regulatory limit and do not pose immediate health risks, New Castle is working with the City of Portsmouth and their own engineering consultant to address this issue.

The Annual Drinking Water Quality Reports can be found here. Questions can be directed to Al Pratt, Water Resource Manager, at (603) 520-0622, or Brian Goetz at (603) 766-1420.