Drinking Water Source Protection Program

Groundwater Discharge Permitting and Registration

The Groundwater Discharge Permitting and Registration Program is concerned with the proper treatment and disposal of wastewater onto or into the ground. The focus is to eliminate instances where groundwater has been contaminated by the improper disposal of waste and wastewater containing solvents, petroleum products and other industrial and commercial wastes.

All discharges of non-domestic wastewater to the ground must be registered with, and in some cases permitted by, DES's Water Division. In all cases state rules prohibit any discharge of non-domestic wastewater containing regulated contaminants above ambient groundwater standards. The discharge of large quantities of domestic wastewater is also registered by this program. Discharges of non-domestic wastewater to lagoons or via land application require a permit.

This program also implements federal regulations pertaining to underground injection wells. New regulations prohibit floor drains in motor vehicle facilities and ban large cesspools.

Rules

	Env-Wq 402 Groundwater Discharge Permit and Registration Rules
	Env-Wq 401 Best Management Practices

Permits and Applications

	Groundwater Discharge Permit [pdf]
	Registration and Notification Form for Floor Drains and Discharges to Groundwater [pdf]
	Holding Tank Registration Form [pdf]
	Temporary Groundwater Discharge Permit [pdf]
	Temporary Surface Water Discharge Permit [pdf]
	Registration Form For Industrial, Commercial, Institutional, Or Multi Unit Geothermal / Ground Source Heat Exchange Systems Using Underground Injection Control (Uic) Wells [pdf]
	Registration Form For Single Family Residential Geothermal And Ground Source Heat Exchange Systems [pdf]
	Discharge Well & Floor Drain Pre-Closure Notification Form [pdf]

Fact Sheets

	WD-WSEB-3-22, Arsenic Removal and Disposal for Public Water Systems
	WD-WSEB-22-7 Temporary Discharge Permits for Well Rehabilitation
	WD-WSEB-22-8 Holding Tanks for Floor Drains
	WD-WSEB-22-9 Protecting Groundwater from Floor Drains and Other Typical Discharges
	WD-WSEB-22-10 Wastewater Discharges from Vehicle Washing
	WD-WSEB-22-14 Wastewater From Drinking Water Systems
	WD-WSEB-22-17 Disposal of Backwash From Water Treatment Devices at Single Family and Duplex Residences
	WD-WSEB-22-18 Management of Carpet Cleaning Wastewater in New Hampshire
	WD-WSEB-22-21 Methods to Reduce the Concentration of Radionuclides in Drinking Water and Radionuclide Waste Disposal Criteria
	WD-DWGB-22-23 Requirements for Geothermal Systems in New Hampshire

Guidance Documents

Groundwater Discharge Permitting Guidance Document for Recharging Aquifers with Reclaimed Wastewater [pdf]

Program Staff

Mitch Locker, (603) 271-2858 or mlocker@des.state.nh.us