New Hampshire Water Report Card: Worst Water Systems
The most contaminated public water systems in New Hampshire, ranked by PFAS levels, lead, and EPA violations from official EPA data.
Quick Answer
Central Hooksett Water Pct has the highest PFAS in New Hampshire at 28 ppt (7x the EPA limit). Alton Water Works has the highest lead at 210 ppb. The tables below rank the worst systems in each category so you can see how your water compares.
Highest PFAS Levels in New Hampshire
Public water systems in New Hampshire with the highest peak PFAS ("forever chemical") reading in EPA UCMR5 testing (2023-2025). The EPA enforceable limit for PFOA and PFOS is 4 ppt.
| # | Water System | Location | Peak PFAS (ppt) | Compounds | vs 4 ppt limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Central Hooksett Water Pct | Hooksett · 4,650 served | 28 | 2 | 7x |
| 2 | Aquarion Water/Nh | Monroe · 18,950 served | 25.1 | 5 | 6x |
| 3 | Pease Trade Port | Portsmouth · 9,900 served | 15.1 | 1 | 4x |
| 4 | Exeter Water Dept | Exeter · 12,236 served | 13 | 2 | 3x |
| 5 | Jaffrey Water Works | Jaffrey · 3,800 served | 11 | 3 | 3x |
| 6 | Hudson Water Dept | Hudson · 16,700 served | 9 | 2 | 2x |
| 7 | Portsmouth Water Works | Portsmouth · 33,000 served | 9 | 7 | 2x |
| 8 | Salem Water Dept | Salem · 21,000 served | 8.5 | 1 | 2x |
| 9 | Rye Water Dist | Rye · 4,300 served | 8.3 | 2 | 2x |
| 10 | Peu/Litchfield | Nashua · 7,000 served | 8.1 | 3 | 2x |
| 11 | Seabrook Water Dept | Seabrook · 14,000 served | 8 | 3 | 2x |
| 12 | Hampstead Area Water | Atkinson · 7,153 served | 7.5 | 5 | 2x |
Highest Lead Levels in New Hampshire
Community water systems in New Hampshire with the highest 90th-percentile lead result under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule. The EPA action level is 15 ppb; there is no safe level of lead for children.
| # | Water System | Location | Lead 90th-pctile (ppb) | vs 15 ppb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alton Water Works | Alton · 1,800 served | 210 | 14.0x over |
| 2 | Greenville Water Dept | Greenville · 1,100 served | 110 | 7.3x over |
| 3 | Rollinsford Water Sewer Dist | Rollinsford · 1,688 served | 43 | 2.9x over |
| 4 | Meredith Water Dept | Meredith · 3,750 served | 42 | 2.8x over |
| 5 | Waterville Estate Vlg Dist/W | Campton · 1,250 served | 37 | 2.5x over |
| 6 | Charlestown Water Works | Charlestown · 2,850 served | 19 | 1.3x over |
| 7 | Village Dist Of Eastman | Grantham · 3,400 served | 16 | 1.1x over |
| 8 | Newport Water Works | Newport · 5,000 served | 15 | within |
| 9 | Raymond Water Dept | Raymond · 3,300 served | 14 | within |
| 10 | Lebanon Water Dept | Lebanon · 13,600 served | 12 | within |
| 11 | Laconia Water Works | Laconia · 17,000 served | 11 | within |
| 12 | Peterborough Water Works | Peterborough · 4,500 served | 10 | within |
Most EPA Violations in New Hampshire
Community water systems in New Hampshire with the most health-based EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. A health-based violation means a contaminant exceeded its federal limit or required treatment was not applied.
| # | Water System | Location | Health-based violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bethlehem Village Dist | Bethlehem · 1,750 served | 35 |
| 2 | Exeter Water Dept | Exeter · 12,236 served | 22 |
| 3 | Contoocook Village Pct | Concord · 1,600 served | 22 |
| 4 | Sunapee Water Works | Sunapee · 1,680 served | 8 |
| 5 | Village District Of Eidelweiss | Madison · 1,200 served | 7 |
| 6 | Enfield Water Dept | Enfield · 1,345 served | 7 |
| 7 | Lincoln Water Works | Lincoln · 3,300 served | 6 |
| 8 | Emerald Lake | Hillsboro · 1,300 served | 6 |
| 9 | Rollinsford Water Sewer Dist | Rollinsford · 1,688 served | 4 |
| 10 | Waterville Estate Vlg Dist/W | Campton · 1,250 served | 3 |
| 11 | Rochester Water Dept | Rochester · 25,000 served | 3 |
| 12 | Meredith Water Dept | Meredith · 3,750 served | 3 |
How This Report Card Is Built
PFAS rankings use EPA UCMR5 monitoring (2023-2025), showing each system's peak detection above the 4 ppt EPA limit. Lead rankings use the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap results. Violation counts come from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) and count health-based violations. Lead and violation lists are limited to community water systems serving 1,000 or more people. Figures are the most severe on record and do not necessarily reflect current treated water.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most PFAS-contaminated water system in New Hampshire?
In EPA UCMR5 testing (2023-2025), Central Hooksett Water Pct in Hooksett had the highest recorded PFAS level in New Hampshire at 28 ppt - about 7x the EPA's 4 ppt limit for PFOA and PFOS.
Which New Hampshire water system has the highest lead levels?
Alton Water Works in Alton had the highest 90th-percentile lead result in New Hampshire under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule at 210 ppb - 14.0x the 15 ppb action level.
Which New Hampshire water system has the most EPA violations?
Bethlehem Village Dist in Bethlehem has the most health-based EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record in New Hampshire, with 35 violations.
Where does the New Hampshire water report card data come from?
PFAS figures come from EPA UCMR5 monitoring (2023-2025), lead from the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap results, and violations from EPA SDWIS health-based violation records. Figures are the most severe on record and do not necessarily reflect current treated water. Check your exact address at knowyourexposure.com.
What New Hampshire Residents Should Do
- Look up your exact address at knowyourexposure.com for your system's data
- See the full New Hampshire water quality overview
- If your system is listed, a certified filter (reverse osmosis for PFAS, NSF-53 for lead) reduces exposure at the tap. See the best water filters.