Portsmouth Water Department New Service: Apply & Setup 2026

1. 1

   Open Portsmouth’s official DPW permitting page

   Choose Domestic Water Service Application. The City states that applications are now submitted through its online permitting system.

2. 2

   Create/sign into the permitting account

   Follow the portal’s current registration instructions and keep the email address accessible because application status and review notices can be delivered electronically.

3. 3

   Complete every requested project field

   Provide the property, applicant, contractor, proposed service and supporting information required for the specific project. Upload plans or technical documents when applicable.

4. 4

   Submit the complete application

   The City’s July 1, 2026 instructions say incomplete applications are placed on hold until required information is provided.

5. 5

   Complete the DPW project review

   When the submission is complete, the applicant is directed to coordinate with Portsmouth Water/Sewer staff to discuss the project and required work.

6. 6

   Pay required fees before approval

   The application fee, applicable capacity surcharge and construction-related charges must be paid before the Water Service can receive final approval.

7. 7

   Receive approval before beginning regulated work

   After required project review and payment, the application can be finalized and approved work can proceed according to DPW requirements.

8. 8

   Schedule tapping and inspection

   The water-main tap must be coordinated in advance and the tap/service installation must be tested and inspected by the City before the work is backfilled.

9. 9

   Establish the Water/Sewer Billing account

   The City’s meter instructions state that the billing account must be established before meter installation is scheduled.

10. 10

    Have the meter set and service activated

    Prepare the interior meter piping correctly, coordinate with the Meter Department and complete the City’s meter installation/turn-on process.

The exact submission depends on project size and complexity. Portsmouth DPW may require additional material when necessary to clearly show the proposed work.

Portsmouth states that development requiring a connection to the City water distribution system requires an Ability to Serve letter from DPW. More complex projects can trigger additional engineering review.

The City’s July 1, 2026 Domestic Water Service Application instructions identify these key new-service charges.

Temporary construction / hydrant meter costs

A new service connection is not ordinary homeowner excavation work. Portsmouth applies contractor and tapping requirements to protect the public water system.

• Excavation contractor license required. Water service excavation must be completed by a contractor with an active City of Portsmouth Excavation Contractor License.
• The excavation license is renewed annually. Confirm that the contractor’s City approval is current before scheduling the work.
• Water-main tapping requires specific DPW approval. Portsmouth states that water services may only be tapped by a contractor pre-approved by DPW specifically for water-main tapping.
• Relocated services must be abandoned properly. When moving a water service, the original service must be properly abandoned by the contractor/owner.
• A construction supervisor must be present for inspection. Coordinate staffing so the City’s inspection is not delayed.

The inspector needs to see

Once the required fees are paid and the application is approved, the contractor can coordinate the water-main tapping with Portsmouth DPW.

1. 1

   Confirm application approval

   Do not schedule a tap based solely on application submission.

2. 2

   Confirm all required fees are paid

   The City’s instructions require fees to be paid before final approval.

3. 3

   Coordinate at least one week in advance

   Portsmouth’s July 2026 instructions state that tapping must be coordinated with the Water/Sewer General Foreman at least one week before the work.

4. 4

   Keep the installation available for inspection

   The tap and service line must be tested and inspected before backfilling.

Portsmouth’s July 2026 instructions require the building’s piping to be ready to accept the meter before installation is scheduled. The water billing account must also already be established.

Meter setting distances in the 2026 instructions

If the building already has a City water connection and meter, you generally do not need to construct another domestic service. Your immediate tasks are account establishment, billing responsibility and any required turn-on/service request.

1. 1

   Call the Water/Sewer Billing Office

   Contact 603-610-7248 or 603-610-7237 and explain that you need to establish responsibility for an existing Portsmouth service.

2. 2

   Give the exact property address

   Ask staff what ownership, tenant or account documentation applies to your situation.

3. 3

   Confirm whether the water is physically on

   If the property needs a plumbing shutoff or turn-on, Water Division maintenance handles service requests at the property.

4. 4

   Confirm the billing start point

   Ask when responsibility begins and whether a meter reading or other account action is needed.

5. 5

   Enroll in online billing/payment tools after setup

   Once the account exists, use the City’s online bill-payment service for viewing bills, one-time payments and supported automatic-payment features.

Once new service is active, ongoing bills include a monthly fixed charge based on meter size plus usage charges. Portsmouth moved to its FY27 tiered structure effective July 1, 2026.

FY27 monthly fixed service charge

An irrigation meter is handled differently from an ordinary new domestic meter. Portsmouth requires irrigation-meter applications to be reviewed and approved through its Water/Meter Department process.

Portsmouth lists Fire Service Application separately from the Domestic Water Service Application on the DPW permitting page.

• Use the correct Fire Service application. Do not submit a domestic-only application when the project requires a dedicated fire connection.
• Coordinate fire demand during project review. Complex development review can require the proposed fire-service size and fire-protection demand.
• Separate domestic and fire connections may be required. Portsmouth’s development guidance calls for separate fire and domestic service connections with independent shutoff valves in applicable developments.
• Capacity surcharge treatment is different. The City’s 2026 domestic service instructions state that capacity surcharge fees do not apply to fire service.

The Portsmouth regional water system serves more than just the City itself. The Water Division identifies service to:

• Using the wrong process. Moving into an existing connected property is not the same as constructing a new domestic service.
• Submitting an incomplete application. Portsmouth places incomplete submissions on hold.
• Starting excavation before approval. Application submission alone is not authorization to begin regulated work.
• Hiring a contractor without the required City license. Confirm active Portsmouth excavation approval.
• Using a contractor not approved to tap the water main. Main tapping has an additional DPW approval requirement.
• Forgetting the capacity surcharge. The basic application charge is not the entire cost of a new service.
• Covering the pipe before inspection. Required work must remain exposed.
• Scheduling tapping too late. The City’s current instructions call for at least one week of advance coordination.
• Not preparing the meter piping. Interior piping must be ready before the City sets the meter.
• Forgetting to establish the billing account. The account must exist before meter installation under the City’s current setup instructions.

Domestic Water Service

The water service supplying normal building plumbing uses rather than a dedicated fire or irrigation service.

Water Main Tap

The physical connection made to the public water main for the new service line.

Capacity Surcharge

A new-service charge associated with capacity demands on the Portsmouth water/sewer systems. Applicable amount depends on the project/service configuration.

Ability to Serve Letter

DPW determination used for development projects requiring connection to the Portsmouth water distribution system.

Service Line

The piping carrying water from the public distribution system toward the customer’s property plumbing.

Backflow Device

A protective device designed to prevent reverse flow that could contaminate the public drinking-water system.

Tracer Wire

Locating wire required with approved plastic service pipe under Portsmouth’s current specifications.

Meter Set

The City process of installing/setting the water meter after the account and meter location are ready.

Excavation Contractor License

City authorization required for contractors performing qualifying water-service excavation.

FY27

Portsmouth fiscal-year rate and fee period beginning July 1, 2026.