Public Utilities

Mission


The Department of Public Utilities is responsible for the operation, maintenance, and expansion of the City of Suffolk's water and sanitary sewer systems. Its primary mission is to ensure the delivery of potable water and the collection of wastewater meets all State and Federal regulations.
Public Utilities

Water & Sewer Systems


The City's water and sanitary sewer system consists of over 497 miles of water mains and 375 miles of sanitary sewer collection mains, and is supplied by potable water from the City's G. Robert House Jr. Water Treatment Plant in Chuckatuck, and the City of Portsmouth Water Treatment Plant located within the core city.

Utility Fund


The Department of Public Utilities operates as a self sustaining enterprise fund (Utility Fund), utilizing the revenues generated from the City's water and sanitary sewer systems' operations without the support of General Fund revenues. The Utility Fund revenues support both the department's capital improvement program and operating budget.

Divisions


The department consists of six divisions:
  • Administration
  • Customer Service
  • Engineering
  • Line Maintenance
  • Maintenance
  • Water Production
  • Water Quality Laboratory
Each of these divisions has primary functions, which enable the department to carry out its mission.

Manuals

  1. PFM V-II (May 14. 2021 Release - Revision 1)
  2. Approved Products and Materials_Updated 2-6-2023
  3. PFM V-II (May 14. 2021 Release)
  4. Approved Products and Materials_Updated 1-31-2023

How water/sewer rates are determined. (On the Scene (Public Utilities Rates))

Winterizing Your Pipes

Winterizing Pipes

Check out our turkey frying fact sheet for tips on disposing leftover oil:

  1. Turkey Frying Facts