An Act relative to data collection on below threshold wells

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Kristin Kassner

The bill requires local reporting of below-threshold wells to DEP, enables sub-basin withdrawal estimates, and mandates drought conservation when thresholds are exceeded.

Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means

Purpose and intent

The bill aims to improve groundwater management by requiring systematic data collection on wells that withdraw water below a defined threshold. The data would be used by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to better estimate total water withdrawals at sub-basin scales and to inform water withdrawal permitting decisions. It also requires local authorities to implement water conservation measures for these below-threshold wells during drought.

Key provisions

** Section 1 – Annual reporting by local permitting authorities**

Local boards of health or other local permitting bodies that oversee well permitting must report annually to DEP by December 31 on below-threshold wells permitted within their municipalities.
Required data (at minimum): location/address of the well, primary use (residential, irrigation, commercial, farming), and year of permit issuance.

** Section 2 – DEP use of data**

DEP shall use the collected data to estimate withdrawals from below-threshold wells at a sub-basin scale.
These estimated withdrawals will be included in basin-level water withdrawal estimates and considered when DEP issues water withdrawal permits.

** Section 3 – Local drought response and conservation**

Local boards of health or appropriate local permitting authorities must implement water conservation measures for below-threshold wells during drought periods.
Measures should align with the municipality’s current drought conditions and water use restrictions or with identified flow-depleted basins.

** Section 4 – Threshold adjustment in Chapter 21G**

Amends Chapter 21G, Section 4 by replacing the first sentence to state: “The withdrawal volume threshold to be applied pursuant to sections five and seven shall be twenty thousand gallons per day.”

Who is affected

Local boards of health and other local permitting authorities responsible for issuing well permits (primarily municipal or regional health departments and environmental boards).

The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), which will receive data and use it for withdrawal estimates and permit considerations.

Private well owners and businesses with wells that fall below the established withdrawal threshold (indirectly affected by reporting requirements and potential conservation measures).

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduced: February 27, 2025.

Referred to: Committee on Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) on February 27, 2025.

Public hearing: Scheduled for June 3, 2025 (1:00 PM – 5:00 PM) in A-1.

Status update: Reporting date extended to Wednesday, December 31, 2025 (extension announced August 28, 2025).

Legislative actions noted: Senate concurrence and related activity; House Docket No. 2281 (HD 2281) is related/replaces the bill.

Related information

Related bill: HD 2281 (replaces)

The bill builds on existing groundwater/surface water management authorities by integrating below-threshold wells into state-wide withdrawal planning and drought response.

This summary provides a concise outline of H 977’s objectives, major provisions, who would be affected, and key procedural milestones.

Bill