3/21/02 3059s

4/25/02 3636eba

2002 SESSION

02-3184

06/09

SENATE BILL 440

AN ACT relative to rules for water conservation

COMMITTEE: Environment

AMENDED ANALYSIS

This bill defines the term "water conservation" for purposes of New Hampshire's Safe Drinking Water Act and requires the department of environmental services to adopt water conservation rules for water users which shall apply to certain new water withdrawals approved after the effective date of this bill.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

3/21/02 3059s

4/25/02 3636eba

02-3184

06/09

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Two

AN ACT relative to rules for water conservation

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

142:1 New Paragraph; Definitions; Water Conservation. Amend RSA 485:1-a by inserting after paragraph XVIII the following new paragraph:

XIX. "Water conservation" means any beneficial reduction in water losses, waste, or use.

142:2 New Subdivision; Rules for Water Conservation. Amend RSA 485 by inserting after section 485:60 the following new subdivision:

Rules for Water Conservation

485:61 Rules for Water Conservation.

I. The department shall adopt rules, pursuant to RSA 541-A, for water conservation practices for water users. These rules shall strike a reasonable balance between environmental, energy, and economic impacts and be consistent with current industry standards and practices for different types of water users.

II. The water conservation rules in paragraph I of this section shall apply to all new permit applicants and applications for water withdrawals subject to the provisions of RSA 485:3, RSA 485:48, RSA 485-C:21 and section 401 of the Clean Water Act.

III. Water conservation rules shall be consistent with applicable state or federal rules and regulations.

142:3 Applicability. Water conservation rules developed under RSA 485:61 shall apply to all new water withdrawal permit applications approved under RSA 485:61, II on or after the effective date of this act.

142:4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

(Approved: May 13, 2002)

(Effective Date: July 12, 2002)