New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services

The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) is a state agency formed in January 1987 through the consolidation of four previously separate agencies: the Air Resources Agency, the Office of Waste Management, the Water Supply and Pollution Control Commission, and the Water Resources Board. The agency's mission is to help sustain a high quality of life for all citizens by protecting and restoring the environment and public health in New Hampshire. NHDES is organized into three primary divisions: Air Resources, Waste Management, and Water. The Air Resources Division focuses on maintaining air quality and addressing complex air quality issues such as ground-level ozone, particle pollution, regional haze, mercury contamination, climate change, and air toxics. The Waste Management Division promotes responsible waste management, ensures proper handling of solid and hazardous materials, and conducts clean-up of hazardous spills. The Water Division is responsible for protecting the state's lakes, ponds, rivers, and groundwater through various programs including public water systems, private water wells, source water protection, wetlands, wastewater engineering, septic systems, and water quality monitoring. Additionally, NHDES houses the New Hampshire Geological Survey and the NH Pollution Prevention (P2) Program, and provides services like Small Business Ombudsmen and Pre-Application Meetings.