Statewide Compliance and Testing

• Overall Compliance: The majority of New Hampshire’s 2,000+ public water systems meet federal Safe Drinking Water Act standards, though approximately 30% of wells tested have shown evidence of PFAS contamination.
• PFAS Leadership: New Hampshire was the first state to require local water systems, landfills, and wastewater plants to test for PFAS and treat water that had been contaminated on a regular basis. In 2019, the state adopted the strictest standards in the U.S. at the time.
• Infrastructure Investment: Nearly $35 million in federal funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has been allocated to New Hampshire for water infrastructure improvements, including $7.6 million specifically for emerging contaminant treatment and $24.9 million for clean water initiatives.

Major Water Sources and Challenges

• Private Wells: Approximately 38% of New Hampshire residents receive their water from private, on-site wells, making individual testing and treatment critical for PFAS protection.
• Merrimack River Basin: Primary source for Manchester Water Works and surrounding communities, facing challenges from aging infrastructure and industrial legacy contamination requiring ongoing monitoring.
• Pease International Tradeport: High levels of PFAS were discovered in the water supply at the Pease International Tradeport in Portsmouth in 2014, linked to the use of firefighting foam at the former Air Force base site.

Emerging Contaminant Response

• PFAS Regulation Implementation: New federal EPA drinking water standards for PFOA and PFOS (4 parts per trillion) take effect in 2029, and could double the number of water systems and private wells in New Hampshire that exceed legal standards.
• Treatment Technology Deployment: Water utilities are implementing advanced treatment technologies including granular activated carbon and reverse osmosis systems to remove PFAS and other emerging contaminants.
• Contamination Accountability: More than 1,100 properties are getting help from Saint-Gobain with installing treatment systems or connecting to municipal water systems under consent decree agreements.

Rural and Private Well Communities

• Infrastructure Disparities: Counties like Coos and Carroll, largely rural and relying heavily on private wells, have experienced PFAS contamination from solid waste facilities and wastewater treatment sites.
• Testing Requirements: New Hampshire will require home sellers to notify buyers of the possibility of PFAS water contamination starting in 2025, joining radon, lead, and arsenic as mandatory disclosure requirements.
• Technical Assistance Programs: NHDES provides enhanced technical support to help smaller systems and private well owners navigate complex regulatory requirements and secure funding for necessary improvements.

Looking Forward: 2025-2030

New Hampshire’s water quality landscape continues to evolve as utilities prepare for new federal PFAS regulations taking effect in 2029. State officials said addressing PFAS contamination in New Hampshire has already cost more than $300 million, a cost they say has fallen on state and local governments. The state’s proactive approach to PFAS monitoring and remediation, combined with substantial federal infrastructure investments, positions New Hampshire as a national leader in addressing emerging water quality challenges. However, successful implementation will require continued collaboration between state regulators, water utilities, and communities to ensure that all Granite Staters—whether served by public systems or private wells—have access to safe, affordable drinking water while addressing the legacy of industrial contamination that has historically challenged the state’s water systems.