Town of Bristol
Newfound Lake Area Water Quality Management Project
Project Update

Efforts are underway to apply for funding from several Federal agencies to undertake this important project – the installation of a wastewater collection system to the neighborhoods located along the south end, as well as the eastern and western shores of Newfound Lake in Bristol.  These efforts may lead up to a vote at the spring 2010 Annual Town Meeting (or a Special Town Meeting) regarding this project.  Wright-Pierce of Portsmouth has been engaged by the Town to progress preliminary design development and assist the Town with the application for State and Federal project funding.

The construction of this project will entail the installation of approximately 12 miles of collection system piping, 4 river crossings and 7 new pumping stations.  The project will service approximately 1,000 new users serviced by the collection system extension.  If approved, the full project will also include the benefit of replacing existing older wastewater infrastructure piping on Lake and Summer Streets and significant upgrades of the existing Central Street pump station and replacement of the existing Central Street pump station force main.

The exact scope and cost of the project will come into sharper focus as we progress through final planning and design.

Benefits of the project

• Keeping Newfound Lake, a jewel in the Lakes region, pristine.
• It is a known fact that we have old, malfunctioning septic systems on small non-conforming lots within the watershed of the Lake.
• The Lake is our premier natural resource in Bristol – it is what puts us on the map as a destination community.  We must do all that we can to preserve it for generations to come.
• Increasingly we have residents residing year round in the project area, and visitors now extend their stay during the spring, summer, fall and winter seasons.
  
  
  
• Federal grants are available and we have been encouraged to apply.
• The USDA Rural Development Agency has encouraged us to apply for up to 75 percent of the total project funding through ARRA stimulus program.
• Department of HUD’s CDBG grant program may have dollars to supplement the primary Rural Development grant.
• STAG (State Tribal Assistance Grant) funding directly from the Senate and Congressional offices may be available (the Town has already applied for this funding).
• Now is the time to apply, as Federal and State dollars in these amounts may not be available in the foreseeable future.
  
  
  
• It is advantageous for the Bristol residents to support this project at this time.
• Efforts to gain Federal and State grants for this project will lesson the amount to be raised locally.
  
  
  
• The primary source of our public drinking water is the Fowler River wells just west of the Lake.
• By extending the wastewater collection system to the Lake and this specific area, the likelihood of contamination of our drinking water wells is greatly decreased.
  
  
  
• The extension of the wastewater collection system to the Lake should not be viewed as encouraging new construction around the Lake.
• Our Land Use (zoning) Ordinance will control development, which will be done in an orderly and wise manner, seeking to preserve the special lakeside community we have today.  Additional growth management control techniques can also be implemented as necessary.
  
  
  
• The NH Department of Transportation seeks to complete a $3.4 million comprehensive paving, guardrail and highway drainage improvement program on Lake Street with Federal Highway funds.
• There may be an opportunity to cooperate with the NH DOT, having the collection system work completed first, and then using Federal Highway funds to complete the finish paving once construction is complete - this will reduce the local cost share to the Town of Bristol.