Purpose

The Source Water Protection Committee, also known as the Drinking Water Protection Committee, has the responsibility to advocate for drinking water quality and drinking water source protection.

These water sources are varied and include lakes, rivers, wetlands, aquifers, bedrock wells, and shallow wells. Our water comes not only from Canaan, but also from surrounding towns through streams and aquifers. Dorchester and Orange are the major outside sources, while Hanover, Enfield, and Grafton also impact our water quality.

Since its formation in 2006 the Committee has concentrated on the Canaan Street Lake watershed which supplies water to Canaan Village, Cardigan Mountain School, Crescent Campsites, and many private wells.

The major ongoing activity of the Committee involves continuous public education through mailings, exhibits, and town website.

The Committee has received advice and assistance from NHDES, Granite State Rural Water Association, Upper Valley Lake Sunapee Regional Planning Commission, and other regional water quality advocacy organizations.

News & Notes

Local Champion" Receives Department of Environmental Services Award

NH DES'S Source Water Protection Award was presented to JOHN BERGERON on May 1, 2013 at the Department's Annual Source Water Protection Conference at the Grappone Center in Concord, New Hampshire. This award was presented to honor his work to protect the quality of water in Caanan Street Lake.

John can be characterized as a "local champion" who has been a leading voice for greater source water protection in his community. John has lived in Canaan for 14 years and has dedicated significant time and effort to help plan and implement local protections for Canaan Street Lake, the town's largest public water supply (serving approx. 600 people) and for public water supply wells located in Canaan.

Beginning in 2006, John signed on as a member of Canaan's Local Source Protection Committee to develop a "source protection" plan for Canaan Street Lake. John continued to work as a tireless advocate and in 2008 secured a DES Local Source Water Protection Grant to carry out important elements of the plan. This included expanding water quality monitoring within and around Canaan Street Lake, leading a local public education campaign about source protection, conducting a survey of older septic systems on the shores of the lake, and in 2012 and helping to pass the "Drinking Water Protection Overlay District."

For his sustained dedication, success and service to protect drinking water resources in his community, DES Commissioner Tom Burack presented John Bergeron with DES's 2013 Drinking Water Source Protection Award. Congratulations John!