Town of Carroll in northeastern NH advances water system study

CARROLL — The town is moving forward with a study to determine where to locate a new well and larger water storage tank after voters approved funding for the work at Town Meeting this year.

The Selectboard on July 28 unanimously approved an engineering services agreement with Wright-Pierce to evaluate the town’s water system and determine the best location for an additional well.

The study is part of a broader effort to address increased demand on the town’s water system and plan for future water needs.

At Town Meeting, voters approved $110,000 for a water system asset management, storage tank evaluation and siting study. The town authorized $60,000 of that amount to come from the Water Department Capital Reserve Fund. No new taxes were required.

The town also received a combined $50,000 in grants for water system asset management and a storage tank study.

A separate article approved $50,000 from the town’s unassigned fund balance for the Water Department Capital Reserve Fund.

The need for additional water infrastructure has grown with increased demand in recent years.

In a December 2025 statement, the Selectboard said, “Regarding the town’s water infrastructure, due to the influx of people moving to the north country following COVID, and the building of new homes that followed, placed an increased demand on the town’s water supply.”

That prompted the board to seek outside help to evaluate its existing system, anticipate future needs and recommend possible expansions.

“These studies need to be completed prior to the Selectboard/Water Commission and our residents determining next steps regarding water infrastructure,” the board said.

The town’s 2025 Town Report said Carroll used 45 million gallons of water during the year. The system also experienced two main-line breaks and 11 service-line leaks, which the report attributed to dry weather and rocks moving beneath the pipes.

The town has also been working to improve system monitoring and controls, upgrade the pump house and repair equipment.

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