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RSA 485-C:5 · Classes of Groundwater

Title: L: WATER MANAGEMENT AND PROTECTION
Chapter: 485-C · GROUNDWATER PROTECTION ACT
Status: current
Official source linked: Yes

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485-C:5 Classes of Groundwater. –

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All groundwater shall be classified for the purpose of prescribing protections and management practices. These classifications do not necessarily reflect existing water quality. For purposes of classification, all groundwater shall be assigned to one of 4 classes as follows:

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(a)

Class GAA groundwater shall be the most protected class. Groundwater in this class is within the wellhead protection area for wells which presently are used or well sites which have been identified for future use as drinking water supply for public water systems. An inventory of potential contamination sources in the wellhead protection area shall be conducted, and a management program shall be implemented as provided under RSA 485-C:8.

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(b)

Class GA1 shall be assigned to groundwater in a defined zone of high value for present or future drinking water supply. An inventory of potential contamination sources in the contributing area of this class shall be conducted, and a management program shall be implemented as provided under RSA 485-C:8.

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(c)

Class GA2 shall be assigned to groundwater within aquifers identified as highly productive for potential use as a public water supply by the U.S. Geological Survey regional groundwater studies, or other regional studies. Zones of stratified drift with a saturated thickness greater than 20 feet, and a transmissivity greater than 1,000 feet squared per day shall be designated as class GA2. Zones of bedrock with average well yields greater than 50 gallons per minute shall also be designated as class GA2.

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(d)

Class GB shall be assigned to all groundwater not assigned to a higher class.

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II.

The land area vertically above shall be assigned to the highest class of groundwater beneath it, for purposes of managing potential contamination sources. Source. 1991, 344:1, eff. June 28, 1991.

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Source note

Source. 1991, 344:1, eff. June 28, 1991.

Source history

1991, 344:1, eff. June 28, 1991

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2026 HB1120 reference
y and fall under the jurisdiction of local planning boards. This provision shall not apply to community water systems or large groundwater withdrawals regulated under RSA 485 and RSA 485-C. (q) Include provisions to ensure there is an adequate water quantity to support existing, proposed, and reasonably anticipated future land and associated water uses, and to ensure the protection of water-dependent na
2026 HB1141 reference
lic hearings, or, where a public hearing is not required, a copy of the application for issuance of a permit, certificate, or license within the designated river or corridor under RSA 485-C, RSA 485-A, RSA 483-B, [RSA 12-E,] RSA 270:12, RSA 482, RSA 482-A, except notifications for minimum impact activities under RSA 482-A:3, V and XII and for routine roadway maintenance under RSA 482-A:3, XVI on land used
2026 HB1141-FN reference
lic hearings, or, where a public hearing is not required, a copy of the application for issuance of a permit, certificate, or license within the designated river or corridor under RSA 485-C, RSA 485-A, RSA 483-B, [RSA 12-E,] RSA 270:12, RSA 482, RSA 482-A, except notifications for minimum impact activities under RSA 482-A:3, V and XII and for routine roadway maintenance under RSA 482-A:3, XVI on land used
2026 HB1275 add
for PFAS in biosolids at land-application sites. Such standards shall be set for those PFAS compounds for which an ambient groundwater quality standard has been established under RSA 485-C. Such rulemaking shall include requirements for PFAS soil testing at land-application sites. Beginning January 1, 2028, land application shall not occur if biosolid or soil PFAS concentrations exceed the applicable st
2026 HB1389 add
entrations in groundwater or surface water of 500 parts per trillion or greater of PFAS compounds for which ambient groundwater quality standards have been established pursuant to RSA 485-C, or who owned or operated a PFAS facility at the time of such a release, shall be subject to the provisions of federal regulations in 40 CFR 265.111 and 265.114. Such provisions shall apply to the closure, removal from
2026 HB1607 amend
d by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened: 1 New Section; Groundwater Contamination; Storage and Management of Snow Ice Control Chemicals. Amend RSA 485-C by inserting after section 8 the following new section: 485:C-8-a Storage and Management of Snow Ice Control Chemicals. I. No person shall store sodium chloride, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, or salt treat
2026 HB1607-FN amend
d by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened: 1 New Section; Groundwater Contamination; Storage and Management of Snow Ice Control Chemicals. Amend RSA 485-C by inserting after section 8 the following new section: 485:C-8-a Storage and Management of Snow Ice Control Chemicals. I. No person shall store sodium chloride, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, or salt treat
2026 SB527 reference
where a public hearing is not required, shall ensure that a copy of the application for issuance of a permit, certificate, or license within the designated river or corridor under RSA 485-C, RSA 485-A, RSA 483-B, RSA 12-E, RSA 270:12, RSA 482, RSA 482-A is provided, except notifications for minimum impact activities under RSA 482-A:3, V and XII and for routine roadway maintenance under RSA 482-A:3, XVI on