Sunapee Selectboard Adopts New Septic Rules — A Big Win for Water Quality!

On March 6th, the Sunapee Board of Selectmen reviewed and adopted new septic rules proposed by the town Health Officer.  The rules require that septic systems in the Shoreland Overlay District in the town of Sunapee be pumped at least once every three years, and that documentation is provided to the town.

These new rules are intended to protect the water quality of Lake Sunapee, a major public drinking water source. They will also protect water quality throughout our watershed, including ponds, lakes, streams and groundwater.  When septic systems are not regularly maintained, they can become a health hazard to humans and can leach nutrients into waterbodies, leading to harmful algal blooms.

The rules were created through a collaborative process that included many meetings and conversations with the town Health Officer, septic designers, septic pumpers, water and sewer commissioners, and staff and volunteers from Lake Sunapee Protective Association. The New Hampshire Association of Conservation Commissions also provided important background research.  Multiple public forums and discussions were held to ensure that residents had an opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback on the proposed rules before the vote by the Selectboard.  Far more residents spoke in favor of the rules than against, and the most common concern was that the rules were not strict enough.  These rules will not only have a positive impact on water quality in the Town of Sunapee, but will also serve as a model for other towns in the watershed and across the state.

Click here to read more about the accepted rules.

Click here to learn more about septic systems.

Sunapee Meetings Regarding Proposed Septic System Rules

Sunapee Town Meeting

LSPA hosted the Town of Sunapee's Community Conversation with the Town Manager on Friday, December 9 at 10 am at the LSPA Center for Lake Studies at 63 Main Street, Sunapee, NH 03782

Proposed septic system rules to protect water quality were discussed.

Sunapee Board of Selectmen’s meeting

LSPA staff, board members, and volunteers presented septic system rules at the Sunapee Selectmen’s meeting on Monday, December 12 at 7:00 pm.

The proposed rules are designed to improve water quality in Lake Sunapee. Our recommendations have been shaped by many collaborative conversations between LSPA and the Town of Sunapee.

More details about the proposed rules can be found here.