Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Groundwater Protection

Sixty percent of New Hampshire residents rely primarily on groundwater for their drinking water. Recognizing the importance of protecting the natural quality of groundwater, the legislature passed the Groundwater Protection Act (RSA 485-C) in 1991. This legislation recognized that a wide variety of activities involve the use of materials that can, if not properly handled, contaminate groundwater. There have been numerous instances of groundwater contamination in New Hampshire from leaking storage facilities, improper waste disposal, accidental spills, and even from normal use of these materials. Potentially contaminating substances can be more safely managed if certain basic guidelines are followed. The Groundwater Protection Act directed the N.H. Department of Environmental Services to adopt rules specifying best management practices (BMPs) for the Potential Contamination Sources (PCSs) listed below.

DES developed and adopted N.H. Code of Administrative Rules Part Env-Wq 401 Best Management Practices for Groundwater Protection, (formerly Env-Ws 421) which apply to all potential contamination sources in the state. The BMPs within the rules are essentially common-sense operating practices that are simple and economical to implement. The purpose of the BMPs is to help prevent a release of regulated substances. Regulated substances include oil, as defined under RSA 146-A, III, regulated contaminants established pursuant to RSA 485-C:6, and hazardous substances listed under federal regulations at 40 CFR 302. Cleaning up the release of a regulated substance can be very expensive. Following the BMP rules reduces environmental liability and minimizes potential cleanup costs.

Summary of BMP Rules

Storage

• Store regulated substances on an impervious surface.
• Secure storage areas against unauthorized entry.
• Label regulated containers clearly and visibly.
• Inspect storage areas weekly.
• Cover regulated containers¹ in outside storage areas.
• Keep regulated containers that are stored outside more than 50 feet from surface water and storm drains, 75 feet from private wells, and up to 400 feet from public wells.
• Secondary containment is required for regulated containers stored outside, except for on-premise use heating fuel tanks, or aboveground or underground storage tanks otherwise regulated.

Handling

• Keep regulated containers closed and sealed.
• Place drip pans under spigots, valves, and pumps.
• Have spill control and containment equipment readily available in all work areas.
• Use funnels and drip pans when transferring regulated substances; perform transfers over impervious surface.

Release Response Information

• Post information on what to do in the event of a spill.

Floor Drains and Work Sinks

• Cannot discharge into or onto the ground.

¹Regulated container means any device in which a regulated substance is stored, transported, treated, disposed of, or otherwise handled, with a capacity of five gallons or more. The term does not include fuel tanks attached to and supplying fuel to a motor vehicle.

For more information on best management practices for groundwater protection visit the DES Drinking Water Source Protection webpage at www.des.nh.gov/dwspp, or contact the NH Department of Environmental Services at (603) 271-2947 or (603) 271-0688.

Disclaimer: Information contained in this fact sheet is current as of February 2, 2007. Statutory or regulatory changes that may occur after February 2, 2007, may cause part or all of the information to be invalid. If there are any questions concerning the status of the information, please contact DES at (603) 271-3644.