Contract One Sewer Rehabilitation

Construction on the Contract One Sewer Rehabilitation Project began Wednesday, March 18. The Sanitary Sewer System Rehabilitation and Improvements – Contract 1 project is required by the City’s Consent Decree with the United Stated Environmental Protection Agency. The purpose of the project is to remove Inflow and Infiltration (I/I) in the City’s sewer collection system. I/I is when stormwater and groundwater enter the sewer collection system through deterioration in the sewer pipes or manholes. This results in increased sewer flows, more frequent Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) events, and increased sewer costs through pumping and treatment of otherwise clean water. The City accepted funds through the American Rescue Act Plan (ARPA) to assist with costs related to design and construction. The ARPA funding deadline means the project must be completed by April 1, 2026.

Ceres Street

As part of the Contract 1 Sewer Rehabilitation project, the City will be lining the sewer line under Ceres Street. This effort will line an approximate 600 feet of sewer mains and curtain grout 7 sewer manholes throughout the Ceres Street corridor to reduce/remove a conservatively-estimated 120,000 gallons of seawater per day that is infiltrating the sewer collection system. The work will significantly reduce the amount of Chloride at the WWTF, preventing further damage that is observed at the Deer Street Pumping Station. 

Lining is accomplished by using the trenchless lining systems Cured-in-Place-Pipe (CIPP) to repair damaged sewer and drainpipes. This process creates a new, seamless pipe inside the old one, requiring minimal/potentially no digging.

However, to complete the lining there can be no water in the pipe and therefore the work section will be closed off and water service to buildings along Ceres Street between Bow Street and Market Street will likely be temporarily shut down. Notices will be posted and staff will be going door-to-door to inform affected residents and businesses.

DPW views the remediation of Ceres Streets sewers as an emergency project due to negative impacts to critical pump stations and WWTF infrastructure.

Blue Heron Avenue

Contract 1 work is also planned for this area, starting the week of April 13.

Project Manager: Zach Cronin, P.E., Assistant City Engineer, 
Office: (603) 610-7304
Cell: (603) 957-8795
Email: zmcronin@portsmouthnh.gov