6.17.2026 Safe Water Advisory Group

The City of Portsmouth, New Hampshire Safe Water Advisory Group (SWAG) held a meeting on June 17, 2026, focusing on water quality challenges related to climate change, regulatory updates, and infrastructure projects. Key procurement-related discussions included updates on capital improvement projects such as the rehabilitation and painting of water storage tanks with bids coming in under budget at approximately $2.2 million, and ongoing water main replacements with a noted cost of about $2 million per mile. The group also discussed funding from a PFAS settlement totaling over $4.5 million dedicated to treatment system improvements, including a $600,000 allocation for final design work on a PFAS treatment facility. Additionally, the city is planning pilot testing for granular activated carbon filtration to address emerging contaminants, acknowledging the high cost and maintenance requirements. The meeting covered regulatory developments delaying PFAS treatment implementation to 2031 and potential impacts of revised microbial disinfection byproduct rules expected by 2027. The advisory group emphasized the importance of long-term capital planning and budgeting to address water treatment and infrastructure needs amid changing water quality and regulatory pressures.