PORTSMOUTH — Customers of the Portsmouth Water and Fire District can expect to pay more for their water in the new fiscal year, which began May 1.

The District has announced a 1.61-percent increase in its operating budget for fiscal year 2026. The Administrative Board approved an operating budget of $6,050,458 and a total budget of $6,905,109. The District’s combined operating and capital budget increased by 8.13 percent.  

The budget includes an 7-percent increase in each of its two-tier water rates and a 10-percent increase in the base charge for a 5/8-inch residential meter. The increase in base charge reflects the current cost of service, including an update to actual meter pricing, according to the District.

The new quarterly water rates are $9.68 per $1,000 of assessed valuation for the first 5,000 gallons, and $13.64 per $1,000 for all water use over 5,000 gallons in the quarter. 

“The average residential customer that uses 60,000 gallons of water per year would have an annual cost of $860.20, an increase of $59.80, or 7.47 percent, over fiscal year 2025,” the District stated.

Administrative Board Chairman Philip Driscoll said the water rate increases are necessary to maintain a balanced budget while funding the District’s operating costs, technology improvements, capital improvements and debt service. In addition, Mr. Driscoll said the Administrative Board has put an emphasis on increased leak detection to reduce lost water. 

The board is working hard to properly maintain and improve the water system, while providing fair and reasonable rates for customers and taxpayers, Mr. Driscoll said. He also indicated the board will continue to ensure that the cost it pays for wholesale water is fair and reasonable by working with Newport Water and intervening in Newport rate filings before the Public Utilities Commission, as necessary.