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State permit approved for Drinkwater Road withdrawal; local monitoring and legislation proposed
Summary
State Rep. Susan Porcelli told the Board that NHDES approved a large groundwater withdrawal permit for Exeter Drinkwater Road on March 27, 2026, allowing up to 576,000 gallons per 24 hours with an initial 24-month cap of 288,000 gpd; monitoring and legislative changes were discussed.
State Representative Susan Porcelli updated the Board on the Exeter Drinkwater Road large groundwater withdrawal application, saying, "The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) approved the permit on March 27, 2026." The permit authorizes withdrawals of up to 576,000 gallons in a 24-hour period with an initial 24-month restriction limiting daily withdrawals to 288,000 gallons.
Porcelli described required groundwater-level and water-quality monitoring and said monitoring is currently established at three Kensington properties: 12 Laurel Lane, 6 Old Ridge Road and 106 Drinkwater Road. She also said questions remain about how additional private wells could be enrolled in monitoring programs and that she intends to introduce legislation to strengthen requirements for large groundwater-withdrawal permits and protections for affected communities.
Board members asked for clarity on private-well monitoring and the long-term monitoring plan; members did not take formal action at this meeting. The discussion flagged follow-up items for staff, including outreach to affected property owners and clarification about enrollment or compensation for private-well monitoring.
