Water News

PW

DPW Begins Limited Fall Hydrant Flushing

September 16, 2025

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.

PW

Water Division Issues "Moderate Drought" Water Report

August 15, 2025

The Seacoast area is currently in a Moderate Drought according to the US Drought Monitor program. There has only been 2.6 inches of precipitation in the area since May 2025. This is about 6.4 inches below normal for this period. The recent dry and hot weather has also caused a spike in water demand up to 5.7 million gallons per day (MGD) on average, which exceeds the 10-year average for August of 5.0 MGD. 

WA

Portsmouth & Pease Drinking Water Supply Update 2025 Q2

July 28, 2025

The City of Portsmouth, NH, water supply sources have recovered from the drought conditions that began in late summer 2024. The Bellamy Reservoir surface water source has rebounded from the significantly low levels recorded in September and October, aided by late winter snowmelt and spring precipitation.

WA

What to do if you have Discolored Water

June 11, 2025

Discolored water results when water traveling through the water mains reaches high enough velocities to stir the sediment lying in the bottom of the water mains. Water main breaks, fire fighting activities, and extremely high system demand are typical causes of discolored water.

COP

Portsmouth & Pease Drinking Water Supply Update 2025 Q1

May 13, 2025

The City of Portsmouth NH water supply sources have been resilient to the effects of drought conditions that have persisted since late summer of 2024. The Bellamy Reservoir surface-water source has recovered from the low levels observed in October due to snowmelt and late winter to early-spring precipitation.

COP

DPW Water Division Notifies Affected Residents of Service Line Inventory Results

November 8, 2024

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) required that all public water suppliers, including the City of Portsmouth submit an inventory of the materials in water service lines by October 16, 2024. These service lines are the pipes that deliver drinking water from the public water mains to customers. The inventory requirement is part of the EPA Lead and Copper Rule Revision.