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Hancock's Water Commission Chair Tom Shevenell announced plans for federally mandated inspections of water lines to reduce lead exposure, during a joint public meeting on January 26, 2026. The town must comply with the 2024 Federal Lead and Copper Improvements Rule, requiring a complete inventory of materials in service lines by 2037.

Hancock has 200 customer service water lines, with documentation ongoing for both customer and utility sides. The cost for inspection and documentation of each service line is estimated at $1,500 to $2,000.

To meet these requirements, the Water Commission will seek $380,000 approval at town meeting, with the potential for 66 percent principal forgiveness from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services. The project aims to enhance compliance by 2037, alongside the establishment of a Water Capital Reserve Fund, which could increase median residential water bills by $66 in 2026.