Last Updated 08/25/2026
NH Department of Environmental Services
Soak Up the Rain New Hampshire (SoakNH) offers a variety of ways to voluntarily manage stormwater runoff from residential and small business properties.
- Property owners can explore the Stormwater Solutions to learn how to infiltrate or redirect runoff, reduce erosion, and encourage groundwater recharge.
- Lake and watershed associations can partner with SoakNH to form their own local groups, providing outreach and education to their members about the benefits of soaking up the rain.
- Anyone can explore and be inspired by the photo galleries and stories showcasing New Hampshire residents soaking up the rain with rain gardens, infiltration steps, dry wells and other practices.
Property owners can estimate their “stormwater footprint” with the New Hampshire Residential Loading Model 
, which is based on the Center for Watershed Protection’s Runoff Reduction Method.
SW Manual Volume 2 Excerpt
3-5. Maintenance Factors
Regular Inspection and Maintenance
Regular inspections and maintenance are essential for long-term effectiveness of stormwater BMPs. BMPs are also very expensive to repair and replace. Sediment, trash, and other debris can accumulate in BMPs and needs to be removed periodically. If not properly maintained, the BMP will not operate as designed and will not provide effective treatment of stormwater runoff. This jeopardizes water quality and may violate permit conditions. All stormwater BMPs require maintenance, however, the frequency and difficulty of maintenance activities and the equipment needed to carry them out varies. Table 3-2 summarizes the relative level of maintenance required by each stormwater BMP. Inspectors and those overseeing or performing maintenance should be well trained and thoroughly familiar with the as-built plans for each BMP. They should be provided with detailed inspection and maintenance procedures, preferably developed by the designer who is familiar with the as-built plans.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Soak Up the Rain New Hampshire?
SoakNH is a voluntary program offering property owners ways to manage stormwater runoff, including guidance on infiltrating or redirecting runoff, reducing erosion, and encouraging groundwater recharge. Lake and watershed associations can also partner with SoakNH to form local outreach groups for their members.
Can a New Hampshire property estimate its stormwater footprint?
Yes. The state offers the New Hampshire Residential Loading Model, based on the Center for Watershed Protection’s Runoff Reduction Method, which property owners can use to estimate how much runoff their site generates.
Why does regular BMP maintenance matter under New Hampshire's Stormwater Manual?
Sediment, trash, and debris accumulate in stormwater BMPs and need periodic removal, since an unmaintained BMP won’t function as designed and can jeopardize water quality or violate permit conditions. BMPs are also expensive to repair or replace, which makes routine maintenance the more cost-effective path.
Who should be performing stormwater BMP inspections and maintenance in New Hampshire?
The state’s Stormwater Manual recommends that inspectors and maintenance personnel be well trained and thoroughly familiar with the as-built plans for each BMP. Detailed inspection and maintenance procedures, ideally developed by the original designer, should guide their work, since maintenance needs and required equipment vary significantly by BMP type.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Regulations change frequently — AQUALIS makes no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of this content, and any reliance on it is at your own risk. Consult a qualified professional or your local regulatory authority to confirm requirements applicable to your specific property.
