I. The department shall respond in writing to a petition filed under N.H. Rev. Stat. § 485:23, I, after due investigation, but not later than 30 days after receipt of the petition, informing the petitioners of the department’s intended action. In response to a petition, or upon its own motion, the department shall adopt such rules under N.H. Rev. Stat. Chapter 541-A as it may deem best to protect the water or ice supply against any dangerous contamination. If requested by the department, the local board of water commissioners, the local board of health, or the local health officer, shall enforce such rules in cooperation with the department.
II. In the case of water supplies any part of which may be outside the town or city concerned, the health officer of such town or city may act as an agent of the department for the enforcement of these rules when so designated by the department. The department may empower the board of water commissioners, local board of health, or local health officer and their agents of the affected municipality to enforce rules adopted under the provisions of this section.