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RSA 485-C:6 · Ambient Groundwater Quality Standards

Title
L: WATER MANAGEMENT AND PROTECTION
Chapter
485-C · GROUNDWATER PROTECTION ACT
Status
current
Official source linked
Yes
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485-C:6 Ambient Groundwater Quality Standards. –

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I.

The commissioner shall establish and adopt ambient groundwater quality standards for regulated contaminants which adversely affect human health or the environment. Ambient groundwater standards shall apply to all regulated contaminants which result from human operations or activities, but do not apply to naturally occurring contaminants. Where state maximum contaminant levels have been adopted under RSA 485:3, I(b), or established in law, ambient groundwater quality standards shall be equivalent to such standards or where federal maximum contaminant level or health advisories have been promulgated under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act or rules relevant to such act, the commissioner may adopt ambient groundwater quality standards equivalent to such standards. The commissioner may also adopt standards that are more stringent than federal or state maximum contaminant levels or federal health advisories if, accounting for an adequate margin of safety to protect human health at all life stages, including but not limited to pre-natal development, the commissioner determines federal standards are insufficient for protection of human health. Where such standards are adopted based upon health advisories promulgated under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act that address cancer risks, the ambient groundwater quality standards shall be equivalent to that exposure which causes a lifetime exposure risk of one cancer in 1,000,000 exposed population. Where no federal or state maximum contaminant level or health advisory has been adopted, the commissioner may adopt ambient groundwater quality standards on a basis which provides for an adequate margin of safety to protect human health and safety.

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II.

Health advisories that are adopted as ambient groundwater quality standards shall be reviewed by the department at least every 5 years to determine if new research warrants revising the current ambient groundwater quality standard. If the department finds a revision is necessary it shall conduct rulemaking to adopt the revised standard.

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III.

Ambient groundwater quality standards shall be the water quality basis for issuance of groundwater discharge permits under RSA 485-A:13.

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IV.

Except for discharges of domestic wastewater regulated under RSA 485-A:13 and RSA 485-A:29, no person shall violate ambient groundwater quality standards.

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V.

By January 1, 2019, the commissioner shall, in consultation with the commissioner of the department of health and human services and interested parties, initiate rulemaking to adopt ambient groundwater quality standards for perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) and perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS).

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VI.

By January 1, 2019, the commissioner shall, in consultation with the commissioner of the department of health and human services and interested parties, conduct a review to determine whether current research warrants revising the existing ambient groundwater quality standards for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS). Source. 1991, 344:1. 1996, 228:110, eff. July 1, 1996. 2018, 368:6, eff. July 10, 2018. 2020, 30:15, eff. July 23, 2020. 2023, 70:1, eff. June 7, 2023.

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Source note

Source. 1991, 344:1. 1996, 228:110, eff. July 1, 1996. 2018, 368:6, eff. July 10, 2018. 2020, 30:15, eff. July 23, 2020. 2023, 70:1, eff. June 7, 2023.

Source history

  • 1991, 344:1
  • 1996, 228:110, eff. July 1, 1996
  • 2018, 368:6, eff. July 10, 2018
  • 2020, 30:15, eff. July 23, 2020
  • 2023, 70:1, eff. June 7, 2023

Related materials

Bill relationships

  • 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