Energy and Climate
Across New Hampshire, annual
precipitation has increased 5-20%
and the frequency and magnitude
of extreme precipitation events
have increased. More intense
rainfall events are one of the
reasons for combined sewer
system overflows. In 2018,
discharge amounts in Nashua were
very high. The September 18, 2018
rain event provided 4 inches of rain
overall, at times rain falling at 1
inch per hour; more than combined
sewer pipes can handle. Reducing
overflows is a key strategy in
maintaining the quality of Nashua’s
water.
City-owned hydro dams
generate pollution-free electricity
for Nashua that is readily available.
2014
2015
Year
2016
2017
Oo 250
Nashua now owns two hydro
dams; Jackson Mills and Mine Falls
(acquired in 2017). Owning and
keeping these assets generating as
a community resource is one way
that the City of Nashua is taking
advantage of the resource that is
the Nashua River and continuing
the heritage of powering the
community with it. In addition
to taking advantage of natural
hydroelectric capacity, the city
is home to a growing number
of solar projects with 450 solar
installations in the last 4 years
(residential and commercial), 3
ongoing municipal installations,
and solar at schools including
Fairgrounds Middle School and Dr
Crisp Elementary, and electrifying
the City’s vehicles.
Solar Generation Capacity
500 750 1000 1250 1500 1750
Comprehensive Master Plan
Open Space and Environment
Combined Sewer System
Overflows
Combined sewer systems
are sewers that are designed
to collect rainwater runoff,
household sewage, and
industrial wastewater in the
same pipe. During periods of
heavy rainfall, the amount of
wastewater in a combined
sewer system can go beyond
the amount the system can
take, causing overflows of
dirty, untreated wastewater
into nearby water bodies.
Reducing overflows is a key
SUMeouRcYoAV AO MO ATT One U IATA oaNMaL
quality of Nashua’s water.
2000 2250 £2500
kW of Solar Capacity
Source: https://www.livablenashua.org
