Groundwater Protection Act (New Hampshire Revised Statutes: Title L Water Management and Protection; Chapter 485-C) Country/Territory United States of America Territorial subdivision New Hampshire Document type Legislation Date 2018 Source FAO, FAOLEX Subject Water Keyword Groundwater Water quality standards Pollution control Water abstraction Classification/declassification Potable water Surface water Freshwater pollution Geographical area Americas, Arctic, East Pacific, North America, North Atlantic Abstract This Chapter of the New Hampshire Revised Statutes is known as the Groundwater Protection Act. The purpose of this Chapter is to protect the natural quality of the groundwater resource of the state by assisting local groundwater protection efforts and by establishing procedures and standards for the classification and remediation of groundwater and state permitting of large groundwater withdrawals. The legislature recognizes the fundamental importance of the groundwater resource and the role of local planning and management in groundwater protection, and intends through this legislation to provide a framework for local groundwater protection. The legislature also intends to provide for consistent, protective management and remediation of groundwater affected by regulated contaminants. The natural quality of the groundwater resource shall be preserved and protected in order that groundwater may be used for drinking water supply. Ambient groundwater quality standards shall meet drinking water standards, and the classification of groundwater shall provide opportunity for protecting groundwater of high value as a drinking water supply. The legislature recognizes that groundwater constitutes an integral part of the hydrologic cycle and that the protection of groundwater quality is necessary to preserve the integrity of surface water. Full text English Website www.gencourt.state.nh.us