Large Groundwater Withdrawal Permitting

National Agricultural Grower

Testimonial

“We highly recommend Aries Engineering based on their exceptional performance in securing the necessary local and state permits for our greenhouse expansion project in New Hampshire. Aries Engineering proved to be true experts in their field. Their comprehensive knowledge of both local requirements and complex state regulations immediately brought clarity and high visibility to what is typically an arduous and time-consuming process. Their expertise extended beyond simple compliance:

• Effective Advocacy: Aries successfully and repeatedly pushed back on requests and defended our project position with solid data, ensuring we avoided unnecessary delays and lengthening the timeline.

• Seamless Coordination: They coordinated exceptionally well with our General Contractor and Civil Engineering firm, acting as a critical, well-informed liaison for all regulatory matters.

• Onsite Support & Cost Management: They were reliably present for all required field testing and developed accurate, dependable cost estimates for the necessary field work, ensuring project budgeting remained on track.

• Leveraged Network: Their familiarity with key state personnel allowed for efficient communication and rapid resolution of complex questions.

Working with Aries Engineering transformed the permitting phase from a major obstacle into a smoothly managed, successful component of our overall project. We look forward to partnering with them on future endeavors.”

Senior Manager - Project Management

Client Challenge

A national agricultural grower retained Aries for our expertise with Large Groundwater Withdrawal permitting projects. The Client has two existing irrigation wells that supply water to their existing New Hampshire greenhouse facility. They requested assistance with permitting as part of a planned greenhouse expansion that would increase the facility size and water use by a factor of 5 times. Because of this proposed expansion, the anticipated irrigation water production rates would exceed the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services’ (NHDES’) Large Groundwater Withdrawal threshold of 57,600 gallons per day (GPD), therefore requiring a Large Groundwater Withdrawal Permit.

Comprehensive Solution

To obtain a Large Groundwater Withdrawal Permit, Aries’ permitting assistance and project support services included:

• Providing project management and support, including participation in Client planning meetings and project discussions, meeting with State officials, and estimation of a suitable and sustainable pumping rate;

• Preparation and submittal of a Preliminary Well Siting Report and Testing Proposal for NHDES approval, which included a preliminary estimate of the maximum extent of the proposed withdrawal’s zone of influence.

• Coordination and implementation of a 7-day pumping test at the design pumping rate to demonstrate no adverse impacts to nearby water resources; and

• Completion of a Final Report that confirmed the sustainability of the design pumping rate.

Because of the agricultural nature of the proposed irrigation water use, Aries was able to assist our Client obtain an agricultural exemption from several standard, but costly design requirement for managing irrigation water discharges at the proposed facility.

Beneficial Outcome

Permits were approved and received ahead of the projected completion time and within the approved project budget, enabling our Client to continue confidently with their five-fold expansion. The Large Groundwater Withdrawal permitting success delivered multiple advantages:

• Timely permit approval eliminated potential construction delays and cost overruns.

• Fully compliant permitting ensures long-term, sustainable water supply security for the expanded greenhouse operations with no identified adverse impacts to nearby water resources.

• Proper permitting process creates value beyond immediate project needs, is a cost-effective approach to regulatory compliance, and avoids costly permit modifications and delays.

With regulatory requirements met, our Client moved forward with their greenhouse expansion plans.