Section 486-A:9 - AdministrationI. The department shall perform the following functions related to the administration of the provisions of this chapter applicable to surface water treatment and to any regional water system and evaluation of groundwaters contributing area of public wells with recorded levels of chemical contaminants:(a) Assist public water systems to:(1) Develop an acceptable grant application for funding under RSA 486-A.(2) Conduct pre-construction conferences.(b) Review the defined project and confirm that it meets the surface water treatment rule requirements of the state of New Hampshire and the EPA in accordance with the requirements of 40 C.F.R., part 141 , subpart H.(c) Review and approve preliminary and final facilities' plans for the defined project.(d) Review construction plans and specifications in accordance with RSA 485:8.(e) Process grant applications for state approval.(f) Approve construction plans and specifications and issue authorizations to advertise contracts for bids.(g) Review and approve any revisions to plans and specifications prior to formal advertisement by the public water system.(h) Review and approve formal addenda to plans and specifications during the formal advertising process.(i) Review bid documentation to establish the low responsive and responsible bidder.(j) Issue authorization to award the construction contract to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.(k) Perform periodic site inspections to ensure compliance with executed construction contract documents.(l) Review and approve operation and maintenance manuals.(m) Review and approve change orders during the construction period.(n) Review all invoices related to the project submitted to the grantee on a monthly basis.(o) Conduct a final inspection of completed facilities and certify substantial completion.(p) Based upon a satisfactory final project inspection, review and approve final eligible surface water treatment costs, regional water system project costs and evaluation costs of groundwaters contributing area of public wells with recorded levels of chemical contaminants, and authorize release of retainage.(q) Evaluate the defined project for consistency with municipal master planning, RSA 9-B, and RSA 162-C:2, V and require limitations on future water system connections where appropriate.(r) For a regional water system project and evaluation of groundwaters contributing area of public wells with recorded levels of contaminants, evaluate the defined project to ensure that it is designed to provide an overall benefit to public health, safety, and economic well-being and that it is a cost-effective means of achieving these benefits.II. The department shall perform the following functions related to the administration of this chapter applicable to water supply land protection grants:(a) Assist applicants with water supply land protection grant applications.(b) Review defined projects and confirm that they meet eligibility criteria.(c) Prioritize projects in accordance with the procedures established under RSA 486-A:8.(d) Select projects for funding and administer grant funds.(e) Review all invoices related to the project submitted to the department by the grantee.Amended by 2015 , 259: 31, eff. 7/1/2015.1993, 341:1. 1996, 228:106. 2000, 310:3. 2003, 178 : 12 -14, eff. July 1, 2003. 2015, 259 : 31 , III, eff. July 1, 2015.