The award was in recognition of SRPC's ongoing regional drinking water protection efforts, including all related projects and accomplishments SRPC staffers completed over the last several years. Projects for which SRPC was recognized included the organization of two regional drinking water workshops, creation of a corridor management plan for the Oyster River, update and adoption of new aquifer protection overlay districts in the Rochester and Farmington, development of water usage regulations in Rochester, and implementation of water efficient landscaping regulations in Dover.
SRPC is a strong advocate for the protection of drinking water and is widely recognized as an important regional resource in providing communities with technical assistance and guidance needed to accomplish their source water protection goals. SRPC has helped municipalities reduce local sources of pollution, completed septic system analyses, and promoted best management practices for winter salt application. SRPC provides related technical assistance to communities updating planning documents and processes, including: master plans, stormwater regulations, groundwater overlay zoning districts, water efficiency and landscaping regulations, protection for lower stream orders, low-impact development ordinances, and shoreline management practices. SRPC uses GIS to provide detailed maps and technical analysis to support local decision-making for drinking water protection.
In the coming year, SRPC will be collaborating with Rockingham Planning Commission to develop technical resources for a long-term drinking water supply plan for southeastern New Hampshire. This is intended to be a two-phase planning process and will include the development of regional maps identifying important drinking water sources, review and update of the potential contamination and pollution sources, and development and implementation of up to two local drinking water protection projects.
SRPC appreciates the recognition and would like to thank all its partners at the state and local levels for their ongoing support and dedication. Staffers are dedicated to continuing to protect the region's drinking water sources.