PORTSMOUTH — The Portsmouth Water and Fire District mailed out its annual water district property tax bills today, Oct. 20. 

Philip Driscoll, chairman of the Administrative Board, said the District’s tax rate is 21 cents per $1,000 of assessed value — a penny less than the 2016 rate.

The owner of property assessed at $400,000 would pay an annual tax of $84.

The District encourages customers to pay tax and water bills online by credit card, debit card or banking account withdrawal, at PortsmouthWater.org. There are no charges assessed for online payments. 

Customers who pay their tax or water bills using a bill-pay service must reference their water or tax account number on the check to ensure payment is posted to the proper account. 

Payments are due Dec. 1. An interest of 1 percent each month will be applied to the unpaid balance for any accounts not paid by the due date.

Any District property owner that has not received a water district tax bill by mid-November should contact the District office at 401/683-2090.