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Divisions > Water Division > Programs/Bureaus/Units > Drinking Water Source Protection Program >

Groundwater Reclassification Program

There are four classes of groundwater in New Hampshire as outlined in the NH Groundwater Protection Act, RSA 485-C. Initially, all groundwater in New Hampshire was classified as GB or GA2, the two lowest classifications in terms of protection. Groundwater reclassification designates an area of groundwater for a higher level of protection (GAA or GA1) because it contributes groundwater to a public water supply or represents an area of high value groundwater for present or future water supply.

Groundwater reclassification is a process that involves both the local entity - a water supplier or municipality - and the NH Department of Environmental Services. Through this process, a local entity would inventory and manage potential contamination sources through education and inspections. Reclassification provides the local entity with the authority to enforce BMP rules in the protected area.

Publications

• A Guide To Groundwater Reclassification (November 2011)
• Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Groundwater Protection (Fact Sheet WD-DWGB-22-4)
• Groundwater Reclassification and How It Affects the Property Owner (Fact Sheet WD-DWGB-22-3)
• Local Reclassification of Groundwater to Implement Protection Programs: A Six Step Process (Fact Sheet WD-DWGB-22-2)
• The NH Groundwater Protection Act: An Overview (Fact Sheet WD-DWGB-22-1)

Rules/Regulatory

• Env-Dw 901 Groundwater Reclassification
• Env-Wq 401 Best Management Practices
• RSA 485-C NH Groundwater Protection Act

Forms/Applications

• DES Request for Groundwater Reclassification Form
• Durham Reclass Application 2003
• Reclassification Checklist

Permits

• Groundwater Reclassification Approval

Related Programs

• Best Management Practices to Prevent Groundwater Contamination
• Groundwater Discharge Permitting and Registration

Contact Us

• Pierce Rigrod
  NHDES Drinking Water & Groundwater Bureau
  29 Hazen Drive; PO Box 95
  Concord, NH 03302-0095
  (603) 271-0688
  (603) 271-0656 (fax)
  pierce.rigrod@des.nh.gov
• Paul Susca
  NHDES Drinking Water & Groundwater Bureau
  29 Hazen Drive; PO Box 95
  Concord, NH 03302-0095
  (603) 271-7061
  (603) 271-0656 (fax)
  paul.susca@des.nh.gov

 

 

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NH Department of Environmental Services | 29 Hazen Drive | PO Box 95 | Concord, NH 03302-0095
(603) 271-3503 | TDD Access: Relay NH 1-800-735-2964 | Hours: M-F, 8am-4pm