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Divisions > Water Division > Programs/Bureaus/Units >

Subsurface Systems Bureau

To prevent pollution of all public or private water supplies, whether underground or surface sources.

The Subsurface Systems Bureau is responsible for the review and issuance or denial of permits that govern approximately 80-85% of all development that occurs within the state of New Hampshire. In particular, the bureau is responsible for the following activities:

• Reviews applications for the subdivision of land and the design of individual septic systems.
• Performs on-site inspections of all septic systems installed in order to ensure strict compliance with the approved plans.
• Implements and administers the program for licensing both designers and installers of septic systems. No individual may submit an application nor install a septic system without first obtaining a license from this bureau.
• Investigates written complaints received by the Department of Environmental Services relative to situations which are or may be causing degradation of the state’s waters.
• Coordinates other necessary permits involved in a particular project or development.

Hot Topics (Complete List)

• NEW! Subsurface Systems File & Archive Record Request Form
• Permit Application Changes
• How to Ensure Your Permit Application is Accepted
  All permits, approvals, applicable recorded documentation and other information required for final septic system approval must be submitted to DES prior to receiving construction approval.

Publications

• Disposal of Backwash from Water Treatment Devices at Single Family and Duplex Residences (Fact Sheet WD-DWGB-22-17)
• Drilling Wells within the Service Area of a Public Water System (Fact Sheet WD-DWGB-21-6)
• Subsurface Systems Fact Sheets
• On-Site Wastewater Disposal System Installation Manual

Rules/Regulatory

• Env-Wq 1000 Subdivision and Individual Sewage Disposal System Design Rules
• RSA 485-A Water Pollution and Waste Disposal

Education/Outreach (Complete List)

• Continuing Education
• Subsurface Seminar December 12, 2011
• When was your last class? Check the Sign-in Sheets…

Technical Assistance (Complete List)

• Active Designers & Installers
• Application & Approval Status
• Designer and Installer Certification Schedules
• NEW! Determine if septic approval is required
• NEW! Determine if subdivision approval is required
• Individual Systems- List of Communities Requiring Local Approval Prior to RSA 485-A:32, I & II Review
• Septage Videos

Forms/Applications (Complete List)

• Application for Repair or Replacement in Kind of an Individual Sewage Disposal System PDF | Word
• Archive Record Request Form
• Individual Sewage Disposal System Application PDF | Word
• Subdivision Application PDF | Word
• Subsurface Systems File & Archive Record Request Form PDF | Word
• Waiver Request PDF | Word

Permits

• Septic Systems: Approval for Construction
• Septic Systems: Approval for Operation
• Septic System Designer and Installer Permitting
• Subdivision Approval

Related Programs (Complete List)

• Alteration of Terrain Bureau
• Lakes Management and Protection
• Land Resources Management
• NHDES Groundwater Discharge Permitting and Registration
• Rivers Management and Protection
• Shoreland Program
• Wetlands Bureau

Resources/Links

• New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission
• US Environmental Protection Agency

Contact Us (Complete List)

• NHDES Subsurface Systems Bureau
  29 Hazen Drive; PO Box 95
  Concord, NH 03302-0095
  (603) 271-3501
  (603) 271-6683 (fax)
• Subsurface Systems Bureau Regional Offices and Contacts

 

 

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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