Drinking Well Water Monitoring Bill Passes State Senate

CONCORD, NH — A well water testing bill sponsored by a Seacoast state Senator has been approved by the state Senate, according to a press statement. SB 240 – a bill establishing routine drinking well water monitoring standards – was approved this week. State Sen. Dan Innis, R-New Castle, one of the bill's sponsors, said it was an important step to establish a routine monitoring process for residential wells where contaminates have been previously detected.

“Providing safe, clean drinking water is one of the most basic guarantees we should be able to provide the residents of the state of New Hampshire,” he said. “Unfortunately, we are faced with a number of contamination issues which we are working diligently to address these concerns now and establish a comprehensive process for future contaminant detection and prevention efforts.”

Innis added that the bill required that should contaminants be found to stem from a specific source and are a cause for concern, that entity would be required to pay for the regular testing necessary, provide treatment, or even an alternative supply of drinking water to the effected parties.

Other sponsors including state Sens. Martha Fuller Clark, D-Portsmouth, William Gannon, R-Sandown, who represents Exeter, and Jeb Bradley, R-Wolfeboro, as well as state Reps. Robert “Renny” Cushing, D-Hampton, Mindi Messmer, D-Rye, Dennis Malloy, D-Greenland, Henry Marsh, R-North Hampton, and Philip Bean, I-Hampton.

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