BY DARRELL HALEN

Windham is slated to receive a $190,000 grant to protect drinking water.

The grant will be used to help purchase two parcels in the northeast part of town. The parcels, which total about 84 acres and lie east of Route 28, abut roughly 600 acres of conservation land.

“Because it’s being added to a substantial protected area, it’s like you’re in Northern New Hampshire, not Southern New Hampshire. It’s very quiet,” said James Finn, chairman of the town’s conservation commission.

“It also protects a wildlife corridor in there.”

According to the state Department of Environmental Services, the land is within the wellhead protection areas of several community wells and within the source water protection area of the Salem Water Department’s Arlington Mill Reservoir, which serves 18,000 people.

The department’s Water Supply Land Matching Grant Program was established by the state legislature seven years ago to help communities protect drinking water.

Windham is one of six communities that will use grants awarded this spring to purchase property and conservation easements on land totaling more than 700 acres. Grants total more than $1 million.

“Protecting the land surrounding water supply sources will help ensure an adequate supply of clean drinking water in quantities sufficient for present and future needs of communities throughout New Hampshire,” said DES Commissioner Tom Burack in a statement announcing the grants.

The awards are subject to approval by the governor and executive council.