Drinking Water, Wastewater, and Stormwater Services
Operating and maintaining the infrastructure that delivers drinking water, manages wastewater treatment, and protects local waterways. The Department provides direct water service to the City of Newport, the Town of Middletown, and a small portion of the Town of Portsmouth, and wholesale water to the Portsmouth Water and Fire District and to Naval Station Newport, including the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC). The Water Pollution Control Facility provides regional wastewater treatment to Newport, Middletown, and Naval Station Newport, and accepts septic and holding tank haul-in from the Town of Portsmouth.
Service Status and Notices
Customer Advisory: Temporary Suspension of Fluoride Adjustment. Tap water remains safe for all normal uses.
Read the full notice.
Need to Reach Us?
For water and sewer emergencies, call our emergency line. For all other matters during business hours, use our general line.
(401) 845-5600 After Hours
(401) 845-5826
Rate restructuring is under public review
A rate study is under public review. No change has been adopted.
The existing CSO Annual Fixed Fee is proposed to transition into a sewer base charge tied to meter size as part of the broader wastewater rate restructuring through an ordinance amendment at the same Council action that adopts the new sewer rate structure. Total cost recovery is preserved dollar-for-dollar at adoption; the line item is restructured to reflect the broader operational and capital cost basis of the sewer system. Revenue supporting CSO Long Term Control Plan obligations under the federal Consent Decree remains dedicated to that purpose.
Projects and Construction
Capital projects are underway across the drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater systems. Each project page includes purpose, current status, schedule, funding, and construction impacts.
Newport Water Division
The Newport Water Division operates and maintains the drinking water system, providing direct service to the City of Newport, the Town of Middletown, and a small portion of the Town of Portsmouth, and wholesale water to the Portsmouth Water and Fire District and to Naval Station Newport, including the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC). The system includes Lawton Valley and Station No. 1 treatment plants, multiple reservoirs, and 214 miles of water main.
Water Pollution Control
Water Pollution Control operates the Water Pollution Control Facility (WPCF) and manages the sewer collection system, combined sewer overflow (CSO) program, and municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4). The Facility provides regional wastewater treatment to the City of Newport, the Town of Middletown, and Naval Station Newport, and accepts septic and holding tank haul-in from the Town of Portsmouth. The facility treats an average dry weather flow of 8.4 million gallons per day.
