How PFAS Enters New Hampshire’s Water Supply: Sources and Spread

TL;DR: PFAS contamination in New Hampshire’s water supply comes from industrial sites, landfills, and firefighting activities. These chemicals spread through groundwater, surface water, and the atmosphere, posing significant health risks. Understanding the sources and spread is key to effective management and safety measures.

Ever wonder how those so-called “forever chemicals” actually get into your water supply? For many of us in New Hampshire, PFAS contamination is a serious concern. Whether you’re relying on a private well or a public system, these chemicals could already be in your water, seeping in from local industries, firefighting sites, or even landfills.

In New Hampshire, PFAS water contamination has become a major concern, with multiple sources contributing to the problem. In this post, we explore the PFAS sources in NH and how these chemicals spread through water systems.

Major PFAS Sources in NH

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are synthetic chemicals used in numerous industrial and consumer products due to their water-resistant and heat-resistant properties. Unfortunately, they don’t break down easily and persist in the environment for years, gradually finding their way into water supplies and posing serious long-term health risks.

To tackle PFAS contamination in New Hampshire’s water, it’s crucial to pinpoint exactly where it’s coming from and how PFAS spread in water. The following are some of the primary PFAS sources in NH:

1. Industrial Sites and Manufacturing Facilities

Historically, several industries have used PFAS in various products including textiles, non-stick cookware, and electronics. These facilities often discharge PFAS directly into nearby water bodies or the soil, where the chemicals then seep into the groundwater. In areas with past or current industrial activity, PFAS in NH groundwater is particularly common.

For instance, older manufacturing plants may have used PFAS-containing materials for surface treatments or protective coatings, and even if they have ceased using them, PFAS chemicals can linger decades later. Although industries have implemented waste management practices, leaks or improper disposal can still contribute to PFAS entering the water system.

2. Firefighting Foams (AFFF)

Another significant source of PFAS contamination in New Hampshire is firefighting foam, specifically aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF). These foams have been widely used at military bases, airports, and firefighting training sites across the state. During training exercises or actual fires, AFFF is discharged in large quantities and its chemical components can run off into the soil and water.

New Hampshire locations like Pease Air Force Base have documented high levels of PFAS contamination in the surrounding groundwater due to years of AFFF usage. The chemicals from these foams do not degrade, leading to long-term contamination that can affect both groundwater and nearby surface water sources.

3. Landfills and Waste Disposal Sites

Landfills in New Hampshire serve as another major contributor to PFAS contamination. Over time, products containing PFAS. such as food packaging, carpets, and treated fabrics, break down in landfills. As these items decompose, they release PFAS into leachate, the liquid that drains through the waste. This leachate often seeps into the surrounding soil and groundwater, becoming a route through which PFAS infiltrates water systems.

Leachate management at landfills is an ongoing challenge, as it can contain a mixture of various chemicals including PFAS. Without effective treatment systems in place, contaminated leachate and PFAS can enter the groundwater in NH, spreading these harmful substances far beyond the landfill site.

4. Wastewater Treatment Plants

Wastewater treatment plants across New Hampshire also play a role in the spread of PFAS. When industrial facilities discharge PFAS-containing waste into public sewage systems, it eventually reaches these treatment plants. However, standard wastewater treatment processes are not designed to remove PFAS, allowing them to pass through and enter rivers, lakes, and groundwater.

Biosolids, a byproduct of wastewater treatment, are sometimes used as agricultural fertilizer. If these biosolids contain PFAS, they can contaminate the soil and, over time, seep into the groundwater, further expanding the reach of PFAS contamination in the environment.

How PFAS Spread in New Hampshire’s Water Supply

Understanding how PFAS spread in water helps highlight the pathways through which these contaminants move through New Hampshire’s environment. Below are the key ways PFAS travel through and persist in water systems:

1. Groundwater Contamination

In New Hampshire, groundwater contamination is one of the most common ways PFAS affect the water supply. As industrial sites, landfills, and firefighting foams leak PFAS into the soil, these chemicals eventually percolate down to the groundwater table. Once there, PFAS chemicals can migrate through the groundwater, affecting wells and other water sources used for drinking and irrigation.

Communities relying on private wells are especially vulnerable to PFAS in groundwater NH because wells often draw water directly from these contaminated groundwater sources. Testing and treating private wells for PFAS have become crucial for homeowners in affected regions.

2. Surface Water Spread

Beyond groundwater, PFAS also spread through surface water systems like rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. When wastewater plants discharge untreated PFAS into these water bodies, or when contaminated groundwater flows into them, PFAS can spread rapidly across large areas. This not only affects drinking water supplies but also impacts aquatic ecosystems, where PFAS can accumulate in fish and other wildlife.

In New Hampshire, several water bodies are monitored for PFAS levels. Contamination in one area can easily affect surrounding regions, necessitating comprehensive management efforts.

3. Rainfall and Atmospheric Deposition

Another lesser-known pathway for how PFAS spread in water is through the atmosphere. When PFAS chemicals become airborne through industrial emissions or the application of firefighting foam, they can travel long distances before settling back onto the ground or in water bodies through rainfall. Therefore even remote areas, far from the original contamination sites, can experience PFAS in their water supply due to this long-range transport.

The Ongoing Efforts to Manage PFAS Contamination in New Hampshire

Given the widespread presence and persistence of PFAS in New Hampshire’s water supply, the state has been proactive in addressing the issue. The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) has set strict limits for PFAS levels in public water systems and provides resources for private well owners to test their water. The state also offers rebates and free PFAS programs for residents who need to install water filtration systems to reduce PFAS contamination in their homes.

New Hampshire has also launched programs to clean up contaminated sites, monitor water quality, and regulate the disposal of PFAS-containing materials. These efforts aim to reduce the impact of existing contamination while preventing further spread through effective regulation and community support.

Stay Vigilant and Take Action

The presence of PFAS in New Hampshire’s water supply is a complex problem rooted in multiple sources, including industrial sites, firefighting activities, and landfills. The spread of these chemicals through groundwater, surface water, and atmospheric deposition shows how widespread the impact can be. By understanding the sources of PFAS in NH and how these substances move through water systems, residents and authorities can take necessary precautions to protect public health and the environment.

For New Hampshire residents, staying informed and proactive about water testing and treatment is essential to minimize exposure. With ongoing efforts to regulate and manage PFAS contamination, the state is taking steps toward a safer, cleaner water future.