New HampshireDepartment of JusticeOffice of the Attorney General

News Release

For Immediate Release
August 4, 2015

Contact:
Christopher G. Aslin, Assistant Attorney General
Environmental Protection Bureau
(603) 271-3679

Temporary Restraining Order Issued Against Liquid Planet Water Park

Attorney General Joseph A. Foster announces that on August 3, 2015 the Office of the Attorney General obtained a temporary restraining order against Liquid Planet, LLC. The Rockingham Superior Court ordered the immediate closure of the Speed Slides attraction at the Liquid Planet Water Park in Candia, New Hampshire, until Liquid Planet obtains required design approvals from the Department of Environmental Services ("DES") and demonstrates compliance with applicable water quality standards.

The State sought injunctive relief when Liquid Planet refused to voluntarily close the Speed Slides following notice from DES personnel that water samples taken from the Speed Slides had unsanitary levels of coliform bacteria, including Escherichia coli, that are indicators of possible fecal contamination. In addition, the DES determined that Liquid Planet had opened its Speed Slides, two 40-foot vertical drop slides, without first obtaining design approval from the Department and without functioning filtration or disinfection systems to maintain compliance with required water quality standards. Water samples for the remaining attractions at Liquid Planet were within normal standards. Following the Court's order, Liquid Planet closed the Speed Slides and has begun working with DES to address the design deficiencies and come into compliance with public bathing facility standards.

State law requires that all public bathing facilities, including commercial recreational water slides, be approved by DES prior to public use in order to ensure adequate sanitation and to protect public health and safety. RSA 485-A:26. DES rules establish rigorous design standards and require ongoing monitoring and conformance with established water quality standards for public bathing facilities. More information, including a link to the applicable rules, can be found on the DES website at: https://des.nh.gov/organization/divisions/water/wmb/pools/.

New Hampshire Department of Justice
1 Granite Place South | Concord, NH | 03301
Telephone: 603-271-3658