§ 485:23 — Petition to Protect Water Supplies

I. Whenever any board of water commissioners, local board of health, local health officer or 10 or more citizens of any town or city have reason to believe that a public water or ice supply is being contaminated or is in danger of contamination, and that the local regulations are not sufficient or effective to prevent such pollution, they may petition the department to investigate the case, and to adopt rules under RSA 541-A as the department may deem necessary for the protection of the said supply against any pollution that in its judgment would endanger the public health. Citizens petitioning under this section shall designate a signatory of the petition as the person to whom the department shall send its response.
II. Whenever any board of water commissioners, local board of health, or other owner of a public water supply has reason to believe that a public water supply is in danger of being contaminated or is otherwise threatened and that an emergency condition exists such that a petition pursuant to paragraph I to the department and the adoption of rules would not adequately protect the water supply, the board or owner may petition the governor to declare a state of emergency for the public water supply. At the request of the governor, the department shall consult with the owner of the water supply and make a recommendation as to emergency protections that may be necessary. If the governor declares a state of emergency for a public water supply, those additional protections that the governor deems necessary shall be effective immediately and for the duration of the emergency. The declaration of a state of emergency for a public water supply shall not exceed 6 months. The governor may renew the declaration one time for up to 6 additional months upon further request by the original petitioner. At such time as any of the emergency protections are to become permanent, the department shall initiate rulemaking in accordance with RSA 485:24. Any protections in the governor's declaration shall be enforced in the same manner as rules adopted pursuant to RSA 485:24 or RSA 485:25 with violations of the protections subject to RSA 485:4 and RSA 485:58.

Legislative History

1989, 339:1. 1996, 228:106. 2002, 141:1, eff. May 13, 2002.