What's New

Portsmouth, New Hampshire – With fall leaf season underway, the City of Portsmouth Department of Public Works (DPW) encourages residents to compost leaves and yard waste responsibly through curbside collection and free Recycling Center drop-off programs.  

As part of its Think Blue public awareness campaign, the DPW Stormwater Division encourages residents to manage leaves and grass clippings in ways that protect local waterways. A "Rake It or Leaf It?" video offers practical tips for fall yard cleanup.

PORTSMOUTH, NH — The City of Portsmouth Recreation Department and Portsmouth Public Library 
are offering events and activities to celebrate fall and Halloween. The City’s trick-or-treat hours are 5 
to 8 pm Friday, October 30, 2026. The Portsmouth Police Department reminds drivers to watch for 
trick-or-treaters and increased traffic that evening. Other City events and activities include:

Portsmouth, New Hampshire – The City has contracted with Raftelis Financial Consultants, Inc. to assist in evaluating whether it should create a dedicated Stormwater Enterprise Utility. The Raftelis team presented an introduction to the topic at the Monday, September 28, 2026 City Council meeting. They outlined a process centered on developing fair funding and equitable solutions for sustainable management of the City’s stormwater infrastructure.

Portsmouth, New Hampshire – The City of Portsmouth Department of Public Works will hold its 
semiannual Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day on Saturday, October 24, 2026 at the Public 
Works facility at 680 Peverly Hill Road. Residents of Portsmouth, New Castle, and Newington are 
encouraged to bring household chemicals for safe disposal between 8 am and 12 noon.

Portsmouth, NH – Following the success of its first invitational exhibition, the Public Art Review 
Committee announces the second invitational showcase of visual art by Seacoast artists. The 
show, Light Falls: A Focus on Light, Shadow, and the Slow Dimming of the Year, features the work 
of four Seacoast area photographers. An artists’ reception and opening is scheduled for 
Monday, September 28 from 6 – 7:30 pm at City Hall, 1 Junkins Avenue in Portsmouth.

Portsmouth, New Hampshire – The City of Portsmouth Department of Public Works Water Division begins its seasonal routine flushing of fire hydrants and water mains on Monday, September 21, 2026. Every hydrant in the City will be flushed, starting from the outskirts of the City working in. The flushing will take place for the next six weeks, Monday through Thursday, between 7 am and 11 pm.

Portsmouth, New Hampshire – The City of Portsmouth Department of Public Works is hosting a Public Information Meeting to discuss the Mechanic Street Pump Station Project on Monday, September 21, 2026, at 6:30 pm in Conference Room A of City Hall, 
located at 1 Junkins Avenue. The meeting will give residents an opportunity to see the latest plans and ask questions of City staff and project consultants.