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1. What are the hours of operation?

Our hours of operation are:

Monday - Friday
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

2. If there is a sewer emergency, who should I contact?

If there is a sewer emergency, you should call the Portsmouth Public Utilities Operations Division. They can be reached at 757-393-8561.

3. A public utility crew dug up the street to replace some pipes. They put some black stuff in the hole but it doesn't look like the rest of the road and is uneven. What is going on?

Final road repair from utility work is provided by an outside contractor. The city crews use a cold patch material for temporary patching and to make the street usable until the contractor schedules
the final repair. If the utility cut is unsafe or to check on its final repair status please call the Public Utilities Operations Center at 757-393-8561.

4. I need to locate my sewer lateral. Who can help me with this?

For assistance with locating your sewer lateral, please call the Operations Center at 757-393-8561.

5. There is water bubbling up in the street. Who do I call?

If you see water bubbling up in the street, please call the Operations Center at 757-393-8561.

6. My water tastes/looks "funny". Who can I call to have it checked?

For questions or concerns about your water quality, please call Public Utilities Water Quality at 757-539-2201, ext. 232 or ext. 0.

7. I have a sewer stoppage at my house. Who do I call?

For sewer stoppage issues, please contact the Operations Center by calling 757-393-8561.

8. My water heater burst and I cant' find the water cutoff for the house. Can the city cut off my water meter?

For emergency shut offs or if you need the water turned off for repairs, you must call 757-393-8524. Field visit charges will be applied to your account for service visits.

9. I need fire flow information for a property. Who can help me with this?

For assistance with fire flow information, please contact the Public Utilities Operations Center by calling 757-393-8561.

10. My sewer clean-out is overflowing in front of my house. Who can I call to have this corrected?

For issues with sewer clean-out overflow, please call the Operations Center at 757-393-8561.

11. I have water bubbling out of the ground about half way between the meter and the house and have low pressure in the house. Who will come out and repair this?

The water service line from the meter to the house is the home owner’s property to repair and maintain.

12. The round sewer cleanout in front of my house was damaged when I drove over it. Can the city take care of this?

This clean-out is the home owner’s property. He/she is responsible for its repair and maintenance.

13. I smell sewer around the outside/inside my house. Who can check this out?

For questions or concerns about sewer smell, please contact the Operations Center by calling 757-393-8561.

14. The area around the water meter box stays wet, I think I have a leak. Is there someone to check this out?

For potential meter leaks, you would need to call the business office at 757-393-8524 to have a service order placed.

15. There is a large sinkhole developing in the street in front of my house. Who in the city can take care of this?

To notify the city about a sinkhole, please contact the Operations Center by calling 757-393-8561.