Operational Responsibilities of A
Non-transient/Non-community Water System

This document is provides an overview of significant compliance activities and their cost for operating a small non-transient, non-community public water system (NTNC). Such a system is defined as one designed to serve at least 25 people, for at least six months per year. Examples include those systems serving day cares, schools, and commercial properties.

The following are the responsibilities of the water system owner.

Water Quality Monitoring

Bacterial Monitoring
A few disease organisms in a single glass of water can cause illness thus bacterial water quality testing is done frequently. A new system typically samples four times a year or once a quarter for each quarter the system is open. The number of bacterial samples taken is based on the population served and the configuration of the system.

Chemical Monitoring
Chronic exposure over a long period of time is usually necessary to experience a risk to health thus water quality testing for chemical contaminants is much less frequent. These chemical factors include: inorganic compounds (IOCs, which include metals), volatile organic compounds (VOCs, which include solvents and hydrocarbons), synthetic organic compounds (SOCs, which include pesticides) nitrate, and nitrite. Systems are eligible to apply for sampling waivers for VOCs and SOCs. Waivers are granted based on source protection criteria and systems must be in compliance with DWGB rules to participate. More information regarding the program can be found on the web at www.des.nh.gov/dwspp/waivers.htm

Lead and Copper Monitoring
Lead contamination is a major health concern, especially when ingested by small children. Sampling under this rule reflects this concern. The number of samples required is based on the system’s population. Systems that do not exceed action levels of 0.015 mg/L for lead and 1.3 mg/L for copper, will sample each site twice the first year, once a year for the next three years, and then once every three years. Systems that exceed action levels need to perform corrosion control studies, possibly provide treatment, and do additional sampling.

Permit to Operate
NTNC public water systems are required to pay an annual “Permit to Operate” fee. The annual fee is $150. The Permit to Operate certificate runs from July 1 to June 30.

Operator Certification
NTNC water systems are required to retain a New Hampshire certified operator. To meet this requirement, the owner can: hire a New Hampshire certified operator, become a certified operator by taking the examination, or have an individual associated with the water system become certified. There is training provided annually to assist water system personnel in obtaining certification. The cost of a very small systems grade C1A examination is $50.

The renewal period for certification is two years and the renewal fee for the grade C1A operator is $50. Within each two year renewal period, continuing education is required to maintain certification. For grade C1A operators, required for very small systems, the continuing education requirement, per renewal period, is a minimum of five hours.

Field Inspections
DES staff inspects all NTNC water systems every three years. There is no cost for this inspection. However, if samples are taken by DES staff, the system owner is responsible for payment of all water quality testing fees.

Design Approval of Changes to an Existing System
Design review approval is needed for all changes to a public water system. This includes expansion of the system to new customers, adding new treatment equipment, and adding new wells.

Administrative Record Keeping System
Documentation relative to the system’s sampling requirements (sites and schedules), water quality information, compliance information, and improvements and expansions, must be maintained. It is important for the owner to notify this office of address changes and other significant changes affecting the water system. Detailed recordkeeping requirements can be found in fact sheet WD-DWGB 7-1 “Water System Record Retention.”

It is ultimately the responsibility of the water system’s owner to ensure these requirements are met regardless of whether the property served by the system is leased/rented to other parties.

Prices are based on averages from laboratories that provided information in August 2007. A list of accredited laboratories that offer drinking water testing services may be found under Laboratory Accreditation on the DWGB website www.des.nh.gov/dwgb/nhelap.

For Additional Information
Please contact the Drinking Water and Groundwater Bureau at (603) 271-2513 or dwgbinfo@des.state.nh.us or visit our website at www.des.nh.gov/dwgb. All of the bureau’s fact sheets are on-line at www.des.nh.gov/dwg.htm. Additional public water information is also available at the DES One Stop Data Retrieval Site at www.des.nh.gov/OneStop.htm.

Note: This fact sheet is accurate as of October 2007. Statutory or regulatory changes, or the availability of additional information after this date may render this information inaccurate or incomplete.