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Divisions > Water Division > Programs/Bureaus/Units >

Subsurface Systems Bureau

To prevent pollution of all public or private water supplies, whether underground or surface sources.

The Subsurface Systems Bureau is responsible for the review and issuance or denial of permits that govern approximately 80-85% of all development that occurs within the state of New Hampshire. In particular, the bureau is responsible for the following activities:

• Reviews applications for the subdivision of land and the design of individual septic systems.
• Performs on-site inspections of all septic systems installed in order to ensure strict compliance with the approved plans.
• Implements and administers the program for licensing both designers and installers of septic systems. No individual may submit an application nor install a septic system without first obtaining a license from this bureau.
• Investigates written complaints received by the Department of Environmental Services relative to situations which are or may be causing degradation of the state’s waters.
• Coordinates other necessary permits involved in a particular project or development.

Hot Topics

• Effective July 1, 2009, the fee for submission of Septic System applications (Construction and Subdivision Lots/Units) is $300.00.

Publications

• Fact Sheets
• On-Site Wastewater Disposal System Installation Manual

Rules/Regulatory

• Env-Wq 1000 Subdivision and Individual Sewage Disposal System Design Rules

Education/Outreach

• Continuing Education

Technical Assistance (Complete List)

• Active Designers & Installers
• Application & Approval Status
• Designer and Installer Certification Schedules
• Repair-Replacement Pre-Approval
• Repair/Replacement Questionnaire
• Septage Videos

Forms/Applications (Complete List)

Permits

• Septic Systems: Approval for Construction
• Septic Systems: Approval for Operation
• Septic System Designer and Installer Permitting
• Subdivision Approval

Related Programs

• NHDES Groundwater Discharge Permitting and Registration

Resources/Links (Complete List)

• Disposal of Backwash from Water Treatment Devices at Single Family and Duplex Residences (Fact Sheet WD-DWGB-22-17)
• Drilling Wells within the Service Area of a Public Water System (Fact Sheet WD-DWGB-21-6)
• Individual Systems- List of Communities Requiring Local Approval Prior to RSA 485-A:32, I & II Review
• New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission
• US Environmental Protection Agency

Contact Us

• NHDES Subsurface Systems Bureau
  29 Hazen Drive; PO Box 95
  Concord, NH 03302-0095
  (603) 271-3501
  (603) 271-6683 (fax)
  jo-ann.mckenney@des.nh.gov
• Subsurface Systems Bureau Regional Offices and Contacts

 

 

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NH Department of Environmental Services | 29 Hazen Drive | PO Box 95 | Concord, NH 03302-0095
(603) 271-3503 | TDD Access: Relay NH 1-800-735-2964 | Hours: M-F, 8am-4pm