Mount Sunapee Wastewater Treatment Lagoons

June 2026 - Thank You for Supporting our Watershed!

Feasibility Study
On June 17, the Governor and Executive Council unanimously approved a contract for a comprehensive feasibility study that will evaluate options to modernize Mt. Sunapee Resort’s wastewater treatment system. This study represents an important first step toward identifying a long-term, science-based solution that protects water quality and supports responsible stewardship of the watershed.

Mount Sunapee Advisory Commission Meeting
Thank you to everyone who attended the Mount Sunapee Advisory Commission (MSAC) meeting on June 23. Community engagement has played a critical role in highlighting the need to replace the outdated wastewater treatment system with a modern solution. Developing a plan to ensure replacement before system failure requires a thoughtful and collaborative approach, and with your engagement, we are now on the right path. 

At last week’s MSAC meeting, DNCR Interim Commissioner Adam Crepeau presented language to be included in the 2026-2027 Annual Operating Plan stating that “The resort acknowledges that implementation of such recommendations [from the feasibility study] may require funding contributions from the resort…” Dan Wolf, with the support of the Advisory Commission, requested that the phrase “in accordance with the terms of the Lease and Operating Agreement” be included as well to further clarify and strengthen the language in the AOP, ensuring that the findings from the feasibility study will be responsibly acted upon. During the meeting, Commissioner Crepeau also reiterated his commitment to a transparent process with ample opportunity for public engagement, including additional MSAC meetings.

What's Next?
LSPA, along with many other organizations and community members, submitted public comment letters on the 2026-2027 Annual Operating Plan which is currently under review by DNCR. You can read LSPA’s letter here. DNCR will respond to Vail in writing regarding any changes that should be made to the AOP. We will share that letter when it is made available.

Weston & Sampson began the work of inspecting the lagoons and spray fields at Mt. Sunapee last week. Water quality data from Beck Brook collected by LSPA and the Newbury Conservation Commission has been shared with Weston & Sampson already, and the results of the first phase of their feasibility study will be the subject of a public MSAC meeting this fall, along with review of the Resort’s 2026-2030 Master Development Plan (MDP) and the 2026-2030 Environmental Management Plan (EMP), which were recently posted to the DNCR website.

Resources:

June 2026

Efforts to address the outdated wastewater infrastructure (aka the lagoons) at the Mount Sunapee Resort continue to move forward, with several important updates taking place over the past few months. The contract with Weston & Sampson for the wastewater feasibility study was unanimously approved by the Governor and Executive Council on June 17. The study, to be funded through a combination of Clean Water State Revolving Funds and State Park Funds, represents an important next step in proactively addressing the aging system. We are very appreciative of the support from the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) in moving this work forward.

The feasibility study will play a critical role in evaluating the pros and cons of several potential solutions while also providing an independent, third-party review of existing data. This process will help establish a shared understanding of the current system's issues and limitations, as well as the best path forward.

DNCR staff, led by Interim Director Adam Crepeau, have been generous with their time in meeting with local stakeholders to discuss the process, answer questions, and listen to community concerns. The annual operating plan (AOP) from Vail Resorts was submitted to DNCR on May 15 and can be found here.

The Mount Sunapee Advisory Committee meeting to review the AOP, has been scheduled to take place on June 23 at 10 AM at the Mount Sunapee Lodge. Because the feasibility study will not be completed until late 2026 or early 2027 at the earliest, the recommendations from Weston & Sampson will not be available prior to this summer’s meeting. In the meantime, additional science and monitoring efforts are ongoing.

March 2026

At the recent Newbury Town Meeting, officials shared that a proposal for the sewage Lagoon Feasibility Study has been accepted by the New Hampshire Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR). A draft contract is currently under review, with revisions being made to incorporate feedback from the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office. The goal is to bring the finalized proposal before the Executive Council as early as May.

Discussions between local stakeholders and state agencies are ongoing to ensure concerns are heard. DNCR will be at the April 14 Newbury Conservation Commission meeting at 6:00 PM.

October 22, 2025 - Mount Sunapee Wastewater Solution is Moving Forward

We are happy to report that the New Hampshire Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) has released the Solicitation of Interest for the Mt. Sunapee Sewage Lagoon Feasibility Study. This is an essential step in the process of modernizing the wastewater treatment systems at the Mt. Sunapee Ski Area.

The Solicitation of Interest, released on October 22, 2025, incorporated feedback from members of the Mount Sunapee Advisory Committee (MSAC), the Newbury Conservation Commission, and other community members who provided input at the October 9 MSAC meeting, which included an opportunity for public comment. 

Qualifications must be received by DNCR by 2:00 PM on November 21, 2025. This timeline moves the process forward as quickly as possible.

Thank you to everyone who collaborated on this important step in the process! 

September 26, 2025 - Progress on Mount Sunapee Lagoons

We’re pleased to share that $100,000 in funding from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund has been made available to support a feasibility study for modernizing the wastewater treatment lagoon at Mount Sunapee Resort. This is a critical step in protecting Lake Sunapee’s water quality for the long term.

DNCR Commissioner Sarah Stewart has called a public Mount Sunapee Advisory Committee (MSAC) meeting to review the Draft Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the study on Thursday, October 9, at 10:00 a.m. at the Newbury Town Offices. Public input—especially from wastewater and engineering experts—is encouraged.

LSPA is hosting a stakeholder meeting ahead of the MSAC session to gather input from engineers, designers, and conservation groups who are not represented on MSAC. LSPA Executive Director Elizabeth Harper, a member of MSAC, will participate in the October 9 discussion.

We appreciate DNCR, DES, and Mount Sunapee Resort for taking a collaborative, science-based approach to safeguard Lake Sunapee’s water quality.

Click here to read DNCR Commissioner Sarah Stewart’s letter to Mount Sunapee Resort’s General Manager Susan Donnelly regarding the 2025/2026 Annual Operating Plan.

Thank You for Taking Action to Protect the Lake Sunapee Watershed!

Mt. Sunapee Resort’s aging septic lagoons are putting Lake Sunapee and our local economy at risk. Please help us promote the common-sense solution of replacing this outdated system from 1972. The 50-year-old practice of spraying septic effluent directly into wetlands and forests upstream of Lake Sunapee’s State Beach should end. See a proposed solution here.

June 30, 2025 - Major Win for Lake Sunapee: State Commits to Collaborative Wastewater System Review and Watershed Protections

The Lake Sunapee Protective Association (LSPA) is pleased to announce a significant step forward in the ongoing effort to protect the health and integrity of the Lake Sunapee watershed. In response to a strong outpouring of public support and input, New Hampshire Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) Commissioner Sarah Stewart has committed to several key actions that align with the requests outlined in LSPA’s recent public comment letter.

This development follows a well-attended public meeting on June 3, where residents, conservation leaders, and concerned citizens voiced a unified call for responsible environmental stewardship at Mount Sunapee State Park. In a letter sent to Mount Sunapee General Manager Susan Donnelly, Commissioner Stewart recognized the importance of the community's concerns and affirmed DNCR’s commitment to both urgent and collaborative action.

“To the many voices that care deeply about the future of this treasured place…I believe that with the privilege of operating on public land comes the responsibility to invest in long-term stewardship,” wrote Commissioner Stewart. “Modernizing the wastewater system is not simply a regulatory obligation—it is a moral one.”

Among the key commitments in the letter are:

  • A forthcoming Mount Sunapee Advisory Committee (MSAC) meeting to engage stakeholders in shaping the scope of an independent study of the existing wastewater system.

  • A collaborative and transparent process for developing a request for proposals for this study.

  • Ongoing partnerships focused on drainage, erosion control, and water quality initiatives.

Commissioner Stewart’s conditional approval of Mt. Sunapee’s Annual Operating requires:

  • Development of a sub-watershed management plan for Beck Brook.

  • Collaboration with LSPA on broader Lake Sunapee Watershed management strategies.

“We are grateful to Commissioner Stewart for her leadership and for recognizing the value of a community-driven approach,” said Elizabeth Harper, Executive Director of LSPA. “This outcome shows what’s possible when citizens, agencies, and organizations come together with a shared commitment to stewardship.”

The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) has also expressed interest in exploring stormwater improvements at the Mount Sunapee State Beach parking area, aligning with recommendations in LSPA’s updated Watershed Management Plan.

“This is a win not only for the environment but also for our local economy and quality of life,” said Harper. “Protecting Lake Sunapee benefits everyone who lives, works, and recreates here.”

LSPA extends its deep thanks to the many individuals and organizations who made this outcome possible—from members of the Newbury Conservation Commission and local legislators, to participants, reporters, and concerned residents who showed up and spoke out.

Here Are Resources to Learn More:

Over 200 people attended the Mount Sunapee Advisory Commisison Meeting on June 3,2025.

Our Next Steps

  • Following the June 3rd Mount Sunapee Advisory Commission Meeting, we requested collaborative stakeholder meetings with DNCR, DES, and Mount Sunapee Resort to discuss solutions to this issue within 30 days.

  • We are partnering with the Newbury Conservation Commission to collect additional water quality data downstream from the septic effluent lagoons.

Collaborative Actions

  • We hosted a stakeholder meeting of conservation leaders at LSPA's Center for Lake Studies on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, to discuss concerns about the wastewater treatment system at the Mt. Sunapee Resort and to devise strategies for the Mount Sunapee Advisory Commission meeting.

  • We worked with the Newbury Conservation Commission to compile and analyze historical documents and data about this issue which dates back to the 1970s. This research is summarized here.

  • The Newbury Conservation Commission held a general informational meeting on Monday, May 19, 2025, at the Newbury Town Offices to present data and solutions to inform the public about the issue. The meeting presentation can be found here.

  • LSPA requested action to replace the dated system at the Mount Sunapee Advisory Commission, which was held on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at 10 AM at the Sunapee Lodge at the Mount Sunapee Resort.

  • Over 200 people attended the Mount Sunapee Advisory Commission, including a strong turnout from LSPA members and partners.

June 2025 - LSPA’s Response to Mount Sunapee’s Annual Operating Plan

The Mount Sunapee Advisory Commission (MASC) held a meeting on June 3, 2025 to discuss the Mount Sunapee Annual Operating Plan (AOP). LSPA’s Executive Director, Elizabeth Harper, sits on the MASC and provided this public comment letter.

April 2025 - Concerns Remain About the Mount Sunapee Wastewater Treatment Lagoons

LSPA and The Newbury Conservation Commission (NCC) remain extremely concerned about the water quality impacts of the outdated and poorly functioning wastewater treatment system in use at the Mount Sunapee Resort since 1972. The system stores effluent from septic tanks in a series of unlined lagoons. It uses a spray irrigation system to spray effluent into three vegetated fields, but some of the spray goes into natural wetlands. Because the lagoons are unlined, they leak an unknown amount of effluent into groundwater and into Beck Brook, which flows into Lake Sunapee at the State Beach. It is the oldest version of this type of system currently in use in New Hampshire, and several similar facilities in the state have been denied Department of Environmental Services (DES) permits. Yet a Groundwater Discharge Permit has been granted for Mt. Sunapee Resort’s facility despite the fact that it has regularly exceeded the required water quality standards in the permit for Total Suspended Solids (TSS) on over 48 occasions (62% of samples from 2018 – 2024) and has exceeded the Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) standard at least 15 times (approximately 20% of samples from 2018 – 2024).  Data from these monitoring well reports are publicly available on DES’s OneStop system.

June 2024 - LSPA’s Response to Mount Sunapee’s Annual Operating Plan

The Mount Sunapee Advisory Commission held a meeting on June 11, 2024 to discuss the Mount Sunapee Annual Operating Plan (AOP) which details a parking lot expansion at the Mount Sunapee Resort (Draft Minutes from the June 11, 2024 MSAC meeting). Executive Director, Elizabeth Harper, sits on the Mount Sunapee Advisory Commission and was able to not only attend the meeting in June, but also to provide a position statement. The position statement included the concerns raised by LSPA and other local stakeholders including the Newbury Conservation Commission and the Friends of Mount Sunapee. In the statement Elizabeth Harper recommended that the parking lot expansion should be placed on hold until the following occur: 

  1. The integrity of the dam has been thoroughly evaluated by a qualified engineer.

  2. Extensive water quality sampling has been conducted on the seepage from the dam.

  3. An end-of-life plan is in place for the existing outdated wastewater treatment system.

  4. A comprehensive stormwater management plan is in place for the area under lease.

  5. Public hearings are held to allow for input from the community.