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1 New Section; Third-Party Payment for Water Treatment or Connection. Amend RSA 485-H by inserting after section 3 the following new section:
485-H:3-a Third-Party Payment for Water Treatment or Connection.
I. The department of environmental services shall permit the use of third-party funding to cover the cost of installing a point-of-entry treatment (POET) system or connecting a residential property to a public water system, provided such installation is necessary to ensure access to potable drinking water that meets state and federal standards.
II. For the purposes of this section:
(a) "Third-party" means any person, entity, nonprofit organization, or governmental body other than the property owner or the state.
(b) "POET system" means a water treatment system installed at the point where water enters a residence, designed to remove contaminants to meet applicable drinking water standards.
(c) "Water line hookup" means the physical connection of a residential property to a public water system.
III. A third party may enter into a written agreement with a property owner to finance or directly pay for the installation of a POET system or water line hookup. Such agreement may include terms for repayment, cost-sharing, or donation, and shall not be deemed a loan subject to RSA 399-A unless expressly structured as such.
IV. The department shall not prohibit or restrict the installation of a POET system or water line hookup solely on the basis that the cost is paid by a third party, provided the system meets all applicable technical and permitting requirements.
V. The department may adopt rules under RSA 541-A to implement this section, including but not limited to:
(a) Minimum standards for third-party agreements;
(b) Notification requirements to the department;
(c) Procedures for ensuring system compliance and maintenance.
VI. Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the eligibility of a property owner for any rebate, grant, or financial assistance program administered by the state or federal government.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
Text to be added highlighted in green.
1 New Section; Third-Party Payment for Water Treatment or Connection. Amend RSA 485-H by inserting after section 3 the following new section:
485-H:3-a Third-Party Payment for Water Treatment or Connection.
I. The department of environmental services shall permit the use of third-party funding to cover the cost of installing a point-of-entry treatment (POET) system or connecting a residential property to a public water system, provided such installation is necessary to ensure access to potable drinking water that meets state and federal standards.
II. For the purposes of this section:
(a) "Third-party" means any person, entity, nonprofit organization, or governmental body other than the property owner or the state.
(b) "POET system" means a water treatment system installed at the point where water enters a residence, designed to remove contaminants to meet applicable drinking water standards.
(c) "Water line hookup" means the physical connection of a residential property to a public water system.
III. A third party may enter into a written agreement with a property owner to finance or directly pay for the installation of a POET system or water line hookup. Such agreement may include terms for repayment, cost-sharing, or donation, and shall not be deemed a loan subject to RSA 399-A unless expressly structured as such.
IV. The department shall not prohibit or restrict the installation of a POET system or water line hookup solely on the basis that the cost is paid by a third party, provided the system meets all applicable technical and permitting requirements.
V. The department may adopt rules under RSA 541-A to implement this section, including but not limited to:
(a) Minimum standards for third-party agreements;
(b) Notification requirements to the department;
(c) Procedures for ensuring system compliance and maintenance.
VI. Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the eligibility of a property owner for any rebate, grant, or financial assistance program administered by the state or federal government.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.