3.11.2026 Safe Water Advisory Group

The City of Portsmouth, New Hampshire Safe Water Advisory Group (SWAG) held a meeting on March 11, 2026, focusing extensively on water quality issues, particularly PFAS contamination and treatment efforts. Key procurement-related discussions included updates on capital improvement projects such as the Green Well PFAS treatment facility, with a final design expected by August 2026 and an estimated cost increase from $2.5 million to $8.5 million due to rising construction and material costs. The city has secured state revolving fund loans with partial forgiveness totaling approximately $1.5 million in grants. The group also discussed the planned bidding for water storage tank painting projects, scheduled to begin in fall 2026, and the ongoing water rate study aimed at adjusting rate structures to better reflect fixed charges and consumption tiers. Additionally, the city is preparing to submit a formal request for Air Force funding to cover design and construction costs of PFAS treatment plants for the Portsmouth and Collins wells, with $600,000 allocated in the FY 2027 capital improvement plan and $13 million planned for FY 2029 construction. The meeting included updates on drought conditions, water supply management, and regulatory compliance timelines, including upcoming PFAS notification requirements for customers in 2027. Outreach and education efforts were emphasized, with suggestions to increase public awareness about chemical exposures and water conservation. No formal votes on procurement were recorded, but several action items related to budgeting, bidding, and funding requests were highlighted.