Tours of Portsmouth's Peirce Island Wastewater Facility Planned

PORTSMOUTH, NH — The $74.6 million construction project at the Peirce Island Wastewater Treatment Facility is progressing. On June 13 the public is invited to attend the public tours of the upgrades accomplished so far, in what public works officials describe as the biggest construction project ever undertaken in Portsmouth. The tours will take place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The Peirce Island Wastewater Treatment Facility upgrade project began in the fall of 2016. The new facility is expected to start operating by December of this year and be fully complete by the end of next summer, according to city officials. The June 13 event will be the third public tour since the construction project began.

Each tour will last approximately one hour. A shuttle van will bring groups to the construction area from the construction access gate on Peirce Island. Members of the public should gather at the gate beginning at 5 p.m. City staff and others involved in the project will accompany the public during the tours.

Because the area is still a construction site, it does not yet comply with Americans with Disabilities Act and restrooms will not be available during the tour. Those with mobility issues who would like assistance should contact Chris Berger at 603-766-1446 or email cmberger@cityofportsmouth.com at least 48 hours in advance of the tour.

Because the tour will be of an active construction site, attendees must meet the following requirements:

• Be adults only
• Wear long pants
• Wear sturdy walking shoes or boots that are closed-toe — open-toed shoes will not be permitted on the tour

Some parts of the tour require walking on uneven, rough terrain or unpaved areas. Throughout the tour, guides will offer insight into the ongoing work and take any questions. Tours will be on first come, first served basis and spaces are limited, city officials say.

There is no rain date for this event. Anyone with questions about the tours may contact City Engineer Terry Desmarais at 603-766-1421 or email tldesmarais@cityofportsmouth.com. Schedule and impacts of the project, as well as more information on the upgrades, are available through the city's website.