What's New

Over the past two weeks, Portsmouth High School welcomed students from schools in the Friendship and Sister Cities of Santarcangelo di Romagna, Italy, (October 4 to October 12) and Nichinan, Japan (October 10 to October 16). The students stayed with Portsmouth host families, attending classes with their exchange “sisters and brothers,” and enjoying a taste of autumn in New Hampshire. The City also welcomed the son of the man who signed the 1994 Sister City Agreement between Portsmouth and Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland for a short visit on October 10.

The City of Portsmouth NH Department of Public Works Water Division has issued a Water Supply Status Report, an update of its August report, to inform Portsmouth Water Division customers of the latest water supply conditions. 

The City of Portsmouth Department of Public Works Water Division begins its seasonal routine flushing of fire hydrants and water mains on Monday, September 22, 2025. Due to the ongoing drought conditions on the Seacoast, the flushing will be limited to targeted areas. The flushing will take place for the next four weeks, Monday through Thursday, between 7 am and 11 pm.

The City's Planning & Sustainability Department will host a Master Plan Public Information Meeting on Monday, September 15, 2025 at 5:30 pm in the Levenson Community Room at the Portsmouth Public Library. The meeting will consist of a presentation by the consultant firm Utile, an opportunity for public comment and a question and answer session with the consultants and City staff. 

Chief Mark Newport of the Portsmouth Police Department is invoking his emergency powers and ordering that no parking will be permitted on Grafton Drive, including the truck turnaround, on Friday, September 5th; Saturday, September 6th; and Sunday, September 7th, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. 

Vehicles parked on Grafton Drive or in the truck turnaround during these times will be towed at the owner's expense.

The Department of Public Works Parking Enforcement Department, which manages the school crossing guard schedule, asks motorists to be mindful of increased pedestrian activity and to follow the directions from crossing guards with vests and signs as they assist students and their guardians who are walking and biking to school. Drivers are urged to be vigilant near school neighborhoods, to plan routes away from heavy school traffic if travel is time-sensitive, and to obey posted school speed limits and crossing guard signals.

The City has resumed the implementation of its Citywide Wayfinding Program, developed to enhance wayfinding types, messaging, and locations in a uniform and recognizable design that is unique to the City. 

The City of Portsmouth NH Department of Public Works Water Division has issued a Water Supply Status Report to inform Portsmouth Water System customers of the current water supply conditions and encourage water use efficiency measures. The region has received very little precipitation since May, and the Water Division advises customers to limit their outdoor watering at this time.