Portsmouth residents who have received their recent water and sewer bills got a bit of a shock as the sewer rates in the city have risen by $1.25 for the first 10 units billed and $1.38 for each additional units. According to Peter Rice, the cities Deputy Director of Public Works, the uptick is the result of EPA mandated treatment upgrades. Rice also pointed out that the loss of state aid in the form of grants also played a part in the rising rates. He says that residents can expect to see rates increase in the future as well, as the city prepares to make upgrades to it’s wastewater treatment plant.