May 2019 Portsmouth Water System PFC Sampling Update
May 28, 2019The City of Portsmouth’s water supply staff continue to monitor all of our public water supply sources for Perfluorinated compounds (PFAS) every six months. The following report details the most recent analysis of the Portsmouth supply sources taken in April 2019.
Public Works crews addressing water main break on Route 1; overnight work to occur
April 18, 2019A water main break has occurred on Route 1 near the location of Mr. Mac’s restaurant. Public Works crews have shut off the water main while they address this issue; this affects buildings along Route 1 heading in the direction of Rye, as well as surrounding side streets with the exception of Ocean Road. Crews anticipate the water to be turned back on around noon to 1 p.m. this afternoon. Crews will be shutting the water main off again overnight from midnight to 4 a.m. to permanently fix this break.
Water flushing operations beginning Monday, April 15th
April 15, 2019The Water Division will start their twice annual routine hydrant flushing of the City’s 190 miles of water mains to remove sediment buildup on Monday, April 15th. This work will occur on both public and private hydrants spanning New Castle, Rye, Greenland, Newington and Portsmouth, lasting about six to eight weeks. Between 7 p.m.
Portsmouth Water Division releases Water Supply Status Report that includes recap of 2018
April 9, 2019The Portsmouth Water Division has resumed their monthly water supply status report this spring with its April 2019 report. This report also includes a review of 2018 activity and recent trends.
ATSDR releases health consultation report on PFAS in the Pease Public Water System
April 2, 2019The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) released for public comment its health consultation report, “Per and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in the Pease Public Water System,” in Portsmouth, Newington, and Greenland, New Hampshire. ATSDR will accept comments from the public until June 3, 2019.
Portsmouth moves forward with construction of new water treatment system at Pease Tradeport
March 6, 2019The City of Portsmouth and the United States Air Force are pleased to announce the execution of a contract with Kinsmen Corporation of Hookset, New Hampshire to construct a new water treatment system on the three wells (Smith, Harrison and Haven) that serve the Pease Tradeport.
Portsmouth Water Division accepts award from New England Water Works Assocation
January 18, 2019On Thursday, January 17th, City staff attended the New England Water Works Association’s (NEWWA) monthly meeting to receive its 2018 Public Communications Award. NEWWA recognized the City for its excellence in communications through comprehensive public outreach materials and programs. Please click here for information on the recognition.
Portsmouth Water Division offers update on PFAS regulations
January 3, 2019On December 31, 2018, the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) initiated rulemaking to establish Maximum Contaminate Levels (MCLs) and Ambient Groundwater Quality Standards (AGQS) for four per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) - perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) and perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) to ensure greater protection of public health related to the consumption of drinking water.
Portsmouth acquires large conservation easement near Bellamy Reservoir to assist water quality efforts
December 19, 2018The City of Portsmouth’s Water Division is pleased to announce the acquisition of a conservation easement on 72 acres of property adjacent to the Bellamy Reservoir in Madbury, New Hampshire from Dave Olson. This easement was realized through the combined efforts of the City, the Southeast Land Trust (SELT), the Town of Madbury and the State of New Hampshire’s Drinking Water and Groundwater Trust Fund.
November 2018 Water Supply Status Report
November 7, 2018Higher than normal precipitation over the past three months have caused the quantity of available groundwater and surface water to be greater than normal for this time of year. The quality of the surface water has greatly improved and stabilized since the dynamic water quality changes that occurred in late September and October.