New Hampshire Code of Administrative Rules
Env - Department of Environmental Services
Subtitle Env-Wq - Water Quality and Quantity Programs
Chapter Env-Wq 400 - GROUNDWATER PROTECTION
Part Env-Wq 403 - LARGE GROUNDWATER WITHDRAWALS
Section Env-Wq 403.13 - Withdrawal Testing Program Design

Universal Citation: NH Admin Rules Env-Wq 403.13

Current through Register No. 13, March 27, 2025

(a) The withdrawal testing program required by Env-Wq 403.06(a)(10) shall be designed to:

(1) Estimate the effects of the withdrawal under conceptual hydrologic model pumping conditions, that is, 180 days of continuous operation of the withdrawal at maximum rates without direct recharge to groundwater from rainfall or snowmelt;

(2) Address critical data gaps, limitations, or insufficiencies identified in Env-Wq 403.09 and Env-Wq 403.11 that are necessary to complete the impact assessment required by RSA 485-C:21 and this part; and

(3) Provide the data specified in (e), below.

(b) The program shall be designed by a qualified professional and performed by or under the direction of a qualified professional.

(c) The proposed withdrawal testing program shall include the measurement and observation of a representative number and variety of water resources and uses such that the data can be used to estimate effects on all water resources and users that might be adversely impacted.

(d) For all wellheads, the withdrawal testing production rate shall equal or exceed the rate requested in the permit application.

(e) The withdrawal testing program shall be designed to provide data to:

(1) Demonstrate production of the maximum withdrawal volume requested for each proposed withdrawal or well;

(2) Identify the response of the aquifer(s) and other hydrologically related water resources to pumping at the withdrawal or wellhead;

(3) Refine the conceptual hydrologic model and potential impact area delineation in accordance with Env-Wq 403.17;

(4) Quantify the impacts of the withdrawal and conclude if the impacts meet the criteria for adverse impacts as specified by Env-Wq 403.24;

(5) Develop an impact monitoring and reporting program, if necessary, in accordance with Env-Wq 403.26;

(6) Develop an impact mitigation program, if necessary, in accordance with Env-Wq 403.31;

(7) Establish values or ranges of values for environmental factors that will, during the period of the permit, be used to assess whether withdrawal effects are consistent with original estimates and indicate whether adverse impacts are or may be occurring; and

(8) Determine a revised permitted production volume for the withdrawal, if necessary, to ensure that adverse impacts as identified in RSA 485-C:21, V-c do not occur.

(f) For a bottled water withdrawal, the withdrawal testing program shall comply with pumping test requirements for new groundwater sources of bottled water specified in Env-Dw 303.

(g) For all other withdrawals, the withdrawal testing program shall comply with pumping test requirements for large production wells for large community water systems specified in Env-Dw 302.

(h) Withdrawal testing and evaluation methods, procedures, data, laboratory reports, and other supporting documentation shall be presented in the final report required by Env-Wq 403.20.

(i) As part of the withdrawal testing, the applicant shall submit a written request for permission to access the property and monitor water levels to:

(1) All water users located within 1,000 feet of the proposed withdrawal; and

(2) Representative water users located within an area that extends a distance of 1,000 feet outside of the estimated limit of the cone of depression that is developed based on 180 days of continuous operation of the withdrawal at maximum rates without direct recharge to groundwater from rainfall or snowmelt.

(j) For any water user targeted for water level monitoring in accordance with (i), above, that is a public water supply or a registered water user under RSA 488:3, the request to monitor water levels shall include a request to monitor extraction rates.

(k) If the inventory performed in accordance with Env-Wq 403.10 identifies the potential to influence the extent of known or potential groundwater contamination, the applicant shall collect water quality samples from representative locations both prior to and during the withdrawal testing program in accordance with the following:

(1) When water quality sampling is required prior to the withdrawal test, the results of the pre-withdrawal testing water quality samples shall be submitted to the department at least 30 days prior to the start of the withdrawal test; and

(2) When water quality sampling is required during the withdrawal test, the results of the water quality samples collected during the withdrawal test shall be submitted to the department with the final report prepared in accordance with Env-Wq 403.20.

(See Revision Note at part heading for Env-Wq 403) #9569, eff 10-17-09

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