The Drinking Water and Groundwater Bureau reviews and approves design plans and specifications for new public water systems, and expansions or modifications to existing public water systems, in compliance with RSA 485:8 New Hampshire Safe Drinking Water Act/Public Water Supply Protection Program/Approval of Construction Plans,) and the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. Examples of public water supply system components that require review and approval include drinking water treatment facilities, water supply wells, water storage tanks, pump houses, and pipelines.
Purpose
To ensure that new and existing public water systems maintain minimum construction standards to provide safe and reliable drinking water to all of their customers.
Applicability
Public water system is a system that provides to the public piped water for human consumption that has at least 15 service connections, or regularly serves an average of at least 25 individuals daily at least 60 days per year, as defined by RSA 485:1-a, XV .
Statute and Administrative Rules
RSA 485:8 New Hampshire Safe Drinking Water Act/Public Water Supply Protection Program/Approval of Construction Plans
Env-Ws 372 Design Standards for Small Community Public Water Systems
Env-Ws 373 Design Standards for Non-Community Public Water Systems
Env-Ws 374-377 Design Standards for Large Public Water Systems
Application
For a public water system serving less than 1,000 people, contact Jennifer Mates at jennifer.mates@des.nh.gov or (603) 271-2949.
For a public water system serving more than 1,000 people, contact Richard C. Skarinka at richard.skarinka@des.nh.gov or (603) 271-2948.
For public water system water treatment approval, contact Cynthia M. Klevens at cynthia.klevens@des.nh.gov or (603) 271-3108.
For public water system lead and copper approval, contact Susan Willoughby at susan.willoughby@des.nh.gov or (603) 271-2952.
Application requirements are described in Env-Ws 372 Design Standards for Small Community Public Water Systems,
Env-Ws 373 Design Standards for Non-Community Public Water Systems and Env-Ws 374-377 Design Standards for Large Public Water Systems.
Fee
New Community Public Water Systems is $45 per residential unit.
New Non-community Public Water Systems is $45 per residential unit equivalent, where one residential equivalent unit will have an average daily demand of 300 gallons per day. There is no fee for modifications to existing public water systems.
Processing Time
30 days from receipt of complete design submittal.
Term/Renewal
Design approvals will lapse four years from the date of approval if the approved modifications or new system construction has not begun by that time.
Modification/Amendments
Additional information may be submitted at any time during the design review. The 30-day review time will be counted from the date of the last modification submitted.
Transferability
Non-transferable.
Appeals
Any person aggrieved by a final decision can appeal to the Water Council in accordance with RSA 21-O:7, IV .
Status of Current Applications
Contact staff identified under Application above.
Contact Us
Drinking Water and Groundwater Bureau or (603) 271-2513.