Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), sometimes referred to as PFCs, are a family of man-made compounds that do not naturally occur in the environment. They have a large number of industrial uses and are found in many commercial products because of their properties to resist heat, oil, grease and water. Once released to the environment, PFCs are persistent and do not biodegrade or breakdown.
The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) is engaged in an ongoing investigation into PFAS substances in New Hampshire drinking water. New Hampshire, as well as other northeast states, are dealing with several sites where there have been widespread PFAS impacts on drinking water supplies. On May 19, 2016 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued drinking water lifetime health advisories for two PFCs, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). After a review of EPA’s information, on May 31, 2016, NHDES filed an emergency rule to establish the health advisories as Ambient Groundwater Quality Standards (AGQS). NHDES set three groundwater standards: 70 parts per trillion (ppt) for PFOA, 70 ppt for PFOS and 70 ppt for PFOA and PFOS combined. After completing the regular rulemaking process, these rules became permanent on October 22, 2016. Since then, NHDES has been working to help affected citizens obtain clean drinking water and to determine the extent of the pollution.
On 7/18/19 the New Hampshire Joint Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules (NH JLCAR) approved the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) final proposed Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs)/drinking water standards and Ambient Groundwater Quality Standards (AGQS) for four per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS): perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) and perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS). MCL requirements and AGQS rules effective October 1, 2019.
Resources: The most up to date information can be found on the websites listed below.
All water produced by MVD is now treated with granular actived carbon (GAC). MVD’s water that is sent to the distribution system is compliant with all NHDES and EPA PFAS regulations.
2023: Construction of the Wells 2 & 9 PFAS Treatment Facilities has been completed and is operational as of March 2023.
2022: Construction of the PFAS Treatment Facilities for Wells 7 & 8 has been completed and is operational as of Spring 2022.
The cost of these PFAS Treatment Facilities is approximately $14.5 million. These investments, along with on-going operations and maintenance costs, are supported by the voter approved budget as well as grants and loans. MVD continues to pursue additional grants through NHDES. Additionally, MVD has filed suit in New Hampshire Superior Court against the parties responsible for the PFOA contamination of MVD’s wells.
