Protecting Drinking Water Through Septic Infrastructure Management

Project Overview

The areas surrounding Northwood’s lakes are densely developed residential areas served by septic systems and well water, both private and public. The lack of enforceability and monitoring of septic infrastructure compliance poses a consistent threat to safe drinking water for Northwood residents and business owners. Through this project, SRPC will provide critical contamination susceptibility data to supplement existing resources and ongoing initiatives to protect drinking water. Surveying and identifying contamination risks and providing educational opportunities and maintenance solutions will ensure safe and adequate drinking water supplies for Northwood’s most vulnerable source water geographies, as well as provide a significant public health and economic vitality benefit.

This project’s primary goal is understanding and maintaining water quality within Northwood’s existing public water systems by conducting a septic system inventory to determine groundwater contamination susceptibility. Through the use of an environmental sensitivity and vulnerability ranking process, decision-makers will be provided with new data to prioritize properties within the identified study areas and direct resources in an efficient and timely manner. There will be an outreach component focusing on the adverse impacts of failing or malfunctioning septic systems and encouraging economically feasible solutions for infrastructure maintenance. The project team will also conduct a survey to scope context specific educational materials and opportunities for drinking water protection that is critical to preserving drinking water for future generations.

Outreach and Engagement Opportunities

• October/November 2024 – Septic Outreach Survey will be mailed/launched
• January 2025 – Outreach and education campaign will begin

Check back soon for information for survey information and outreach details

Key Dates

• November 2024 – QAPP will be finalized
• October/November 2024 – Septic Outreach Survey will be mailed/launched
• November 2024 – Data collection will begin
• December 2024 – Demographics and environmental vulnerability analysis will begin
• January 2025 – Septic risk by parcel map and report will begin
• January 2025 – Outreach and education campaign will begin
• February 2025 – Draft septic ordinance will begin
• April/May 2025 – Final deliverables will be assembled and distributed to the Town of Northwood Board of Selectmen and to NHDES