NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 30, 2007

Public Education Sessions -
Citywide Drainage Needs Assessment Study & Survey

Click here to take the online Citywide Drainage Needs Assessment Citizen Survey

The City of Portsmouth experiences frequent and sometimes severe flooding in many of its residential neighborhoods. In the spring of 2005, the City started to re-evaluate how it looked at drainage, and contracted HDR Engineering to perform an in-depth study to identify the drainage infrastructure improvements required to improve the storm drainage for residential neighborhoods in the City. The study was completed in November 2006 and presented to City Council in January of 2007. One of the conclusions of this process was a recommendation to obtain more community involvement in the discussion on drainage. As a result, the City of Portsmouth is beginning a wider dialogue on stormwater drainage issues.

The three public education sessions listed above are the first step in this wider dialogue. The Citywide Drainage Needs Assessment report will be presented and you will be given an opportunity to ask questions. We will also look to obtain your input on the drainage needs in the City.

The next step is the creation of a Citizens Taskforce to study the Stormwater issues and make recommendations to City Council on funding and project prioritization alternatives. Applications for membership on the Taskforce will be available at each session.

To apply to become a member of the Citizens Taskforce, you must attend one of the education sessions.

Please call the Public Utilities/Works Department at 757-393-8666,if you have any questions. We value your opinion and look forward to your input and participation.