Nashua Sewer Fees, Discharge Limits & Dig Permits

Utilities and Infrastructure New Hampshire 4 Minutes Read ยท published March 01, 2026 Flag of New Hampshire

Nashua, New Hampshire property owners and contractors must follow local sewer rules when discharging wastewater, paying sewer fees and performing excavations that affect public sewers or right-of-way. This guide summarizes how municipal bylaws and city practice regulate sewer fees, discharge limits and dig permits for work in Nashua, where to apply, how enforcement works and practical action steps for compliance. Relevant local ordinance sections and official municipal departments are identified so you can locate authoritative text and forms.

Overview of Rules and Who Enforces Them

The City of Nashua regulates sewer use, sewer fees and permitting for excavations that may affect sewer infrastructure through municipal ordinances and departmental rules. The primary enforcement and permitting responsibilities are exercised by the city's public works or sewer division and by building/permit officials for dig permits and right-of-way work. Relevant requirements appear in the Nashua Code of Ordinances.[1]

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement for sewer fee nonpayment, illicit discharges, unauthorized connections, or digging without a permit is carried out by the Nashua Department of Public Works or the designated Sewer Division and by the city's permitting/building office for excavation-related violations. Exact monetary fines and penalty schedules for sewer offences are not specified on the cited page.[1]

  • Monetary fines: not specified on the cited page; consult the ordinance text or department rule for amounts.[1]
  • Escalation: whether first, repeat or continuing offence fines apply is not specified on the cited page.[1]
  • Non-monetary sanctions: may include abatement orders, stop-work orders, required corrective actions, termination of service, lien or court action; specific remedies are governed by the ordinance or department rules as cited.[1]
  • Enforcer and complaints: Nashua Department of Public Works / Sewer Division and the Building/Permitting office handle inspections, complaints and enforcement (see Resources below for contacts).
  • Appeals and review: the ordinance or department rules set appeal routes and time limits; exact appeal time limits are not specified on the cited page.[1]
  • Defences and discretion: common defences include permits, valid variances, emergency actions and documented reasonable excuse; availability depends on ordinance or administrative rules.
Inspectors may issue orders to stop work pending remediation.

Applications & Forms

The city publishes permit applications and fee schedules through official department pages; the cited ordinance page does not list a specific dig-permit form name or fee table.

Check the department permit portal for the current dig-permit application and fee schedule.

How Sewer Fees and Discharge Limits Work (Practical Notes)

Sewer fees are typically assessed for service connection, sewer use (billing), and special permits for industrial or non-standard discharges. Discharge limits may apply to pollutants, flow rates or prohibited substances and are enforced to protect the wastewater system and receiving waters. For precise limits, monitoring and reporting obligations consult the municipal ordinance and any department technical rules or permit terms.[1]

  • Fee types: connection charges, monthly/quarterly sewer bills, industrial pretreatment or surcharge fees 14 specific amounts not listed on the cited page.[1]
  • Discharge limits: may include maximum concentrations for BOD, TSS, pH, heavy metals or other pollutants14check permit conditions or department rules for numeric limits.
  • Permits required for: new connections, substantial repair or relocation of sewer lines, or excavations in public right-of-way that affect sewer infrastructure.

Action Steps

  • Before work: contact Nashua Public Works or the Building/Permitting office to confirm whether a dig permit or sewer permit is required and obtain the current application.
  • Timing: submit permit applications early; permit review and required notifications can take days to weeks depending on scope.
  • Pay fees as instructed by the department; unpaid fees may generate enforcement action.
  • If inspected: comply promptly with corrective orders and document remediation to avoid escalated penalties.

FAQ

Do I need a dig permit to excavate near a sewer line?
Most excavations in the public right-of-way or within a defined setback that may affect sewer infrastructure require a dig or right-of-way permit; confirm with the city's permitting office or Public Works. Specific form names or exemptions are not listed on the cited ordinance page.[1]
How are sewer fees billed and calculated?
Sewer fees are normally billed by the city's billing unit based on meter readings, flat rates or assessed connection charges; the cited ordinance page does not show the fee schedule on its face.
How do I report an illicit discharge or sewer spill?
Report spills or suspected illegal discharges to Nashua Public Works or emergency numbers provided by the city; see Resources below for contact pages and reporting instructions.

How-To

How to apply for a dig permit that may affect a sewer in Nashua.

  1. Contact the Nashua permitting office or Public Works to confirm permit requirements and obtain the current dig-permit application.
  2. Prepare required documents: site plan, depth and location of excavation, traffic control plan if in right-of-way, and any erosion control measures.
  3. Submit the completed application with required fees and await departmental review; respond to any information requests promptly.
  4. Schedule inspections as required and keep documentation of approvals on site during work.
  5. After work, complete any required as-built submissions and close out the permit per department instructions.
Keep copies of correspondence and inspection reports to support any later appeals.

Key Takeaways

  • Confirm permit needs with Nashua Public Works before excavating near sewers.
  • Ordinance text is the controlling source for fees and limits; specific amounts may be posted elsewhere by the department.
  • Noncompliance can lead to orders, remediation obligations and possible court action if unresolved.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Nashua Code of Ordinances - Municode

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