Dartmouth Times

Town of Bristol issued the following announcement on December 8.

A good read on the state of the lakes in NH. Interesting quote, too...

Outdated septic tanks on lakefront properties that are leeching into the groundwater can also contribute to the problem. McQuaid said the pandemic has played a role as well, as people flocked to rural lake houses that were seen as a haven. With an increase in rental properties through platforms like Airbnb, some septic systems that were designed for four people might have been getting used by eight people. 2020 was a difficult summer for lakes in New Hampshire, McQuaid said, and her department – charged with responding to more and more reports – was also understaffed.

On Lake Kanasatka, Meloney says some residents haven’t updated 65-year-old septic systems.

“Chances are all it is is a 55-gallon drum in the ground and people have been using it for 60-plus years. And over time, those systems fail,” he said. That failure means sewage is getting into the groundwater, and in turn flowing into the lake.

https://newhampshirebulletin.com/.../our-lakes-are-sick.../

Original source can be found here.