New Hampshire well water
New Hampshire Well Water Treatment: Arsenic, Uranium, and Whole-House Filtration
Arsenic and uranium occur naturally in New Hampshire bedrock, and both are odorless and tasteless, so a test is the only way to know what is in your well. We connect New Hampshire well owners with licensed local contractors for a free in-home water test and quote.
- Licensed and insured local contractors
- Free in-home water test
- No-obligation written quotes
- Whole-house and point-of-use systems
- New Hampshire 5 ppb arsenic standard
Why New Hampshire Well Water Carries Arsenic, Uranium, and Radon
New Hampshire is the Granite State for a reason. Much of the state sits on plutonic igneous rock like granite and on metamorphic bedrock, and that geology has a high potential to release uranium and its radioactive decay product, radon, into groundwater. The same bedrock is a natural source of arsenic. Wells drilled into this fractured bedrock tend to carry higher levels of these naturally occurring contaminants than shallow sand and gravel wells.
These contaminants matter here because so many households draw their own water. About 46 percent of New Hampshire residents, roughly 520,000 people, rely on private wells, and private wells are not covered by the federal rules that govern public water systems. No agency tests your well for you, so testing and any treatment are the homeowner's responsibility.
Arsenic is the contaminant that brings most New Hampshire homeowners to a water test. Because it is invisible, a United States Geological Survey study of private bedrock wells in southeastern New Hampshire is telling: nearly one in five wells exceeded the federal arsenic limit of 10 micrograms per liter, and the share was higher in parts of Hillsborough and Strafford counties. In 2021, New Hampshire lowered its own enforceable standard for arsenic to 5 parts per billion, half the federal limit, becoming one of the first states in the country to do so.
None of this is cause for panic. Arsenic, uranium, and radon are long-term exposure issues, not emergencies, and every one of them is treatable once you know your levels. The sensible first step is a test.
Water Treatment Services Available Through Local Contractors
Each service below is provided by the licensed local contractor you are matched with, sized to your water and your home. Start with a test, and the contractor recommends the right system from there.
Arsenic Treatment
The highest-intent concern on New Hampshire bedrock wells. A licensed contractor sizes a system to your water and the arsenic species present.
Learn moreUranium Treatment
Naturally occurring uranium turns up in parts of New Hampshire bedrock. A contractor typically addresses it with anion exchange or reverse osmosis.
Learn moreRadon in Water Treatment
Waterborne radon is distinct from airborne radon. On bedrock wells a contractor reduces it with aeration or activated carbon.
Learn moreIron and Manganese Treatment
Iron and manganese cause staining, taste, odor, and buildup. Treatment is often bundled with an arsenic or uranium system.
Learn moreWhole-House Water Treatment
Point-of-entry systems treat the water entering the whole home. This is the route to weigh when more than one contaminant is present.
Learn moreReverse Osmosis Systems
Point-of-use drinking-water systems at the kitchen tap, often paired with a whole-house system for the rest of the home.
Learn moreHow It Works
We are a matching service, not a contractor. Here is what that means for you.
Tell us about your water
Share your concern, or just request a free test. It takes a couple of minutes and there is no cost or obligation.
We connect you with a local contractor
You are matched with a licensed local water treatment contractor who works in your part of New Hampshire.
Get a test and a written quote
The contractor tests your water in your home, explains the results in plain language, and gives you a written, itemized quote.
Common New Hampshire Well Water Contaminants
A standard well test looks for more than arsenic. These are the contaminants New Hampshire well owners run into most, and the service that addresses each.
Serving Well Owners Across New Hampshire
Demand is concentrated in the Lakes Region and the inland Strafford and Seacoast areas, where private wells are common. These are some of the towns we serve.
Do not see your town? Call us and we will connect you with a contractor who serves your area.
Read Before You Decide
Plain-language guides to testing and treating New Hampshire well water, with sources you can check.
New Hampshire Arsenic in Well Water: A Homeowner's Guide
What arsenic is, why New Hampshire bedrock produces it, the 5 ppb standard, and how to test and treat your well.
Read the guideWell Water Testing Before Buying or Selling a Home in New Hampshire
What buyers and sellers should test for, when to test, who pays, and how treatment fits into a home sale.
Read the guideArsenic-III vs Arsenic-V: Choosing the Right Treatment System
Why the arsenic species changes the right system, and the questions to ask a contractor before you buy.
Read the guideFrequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my well has arsenic?
You cannot see, taste, or smell arsenic, so the only way to know is to test your water. A licensed local contractor can collect a sample during a free in-home visit, or you can order a test through a New Hampshire accredited laboratory. NHDES recommends including arsenic in a standard well-water analysis.
Is arsenic in well water dangerous?
Long-term exposure to arsenic in drinking water is linked by NHDES and the EPA to a higher risk of certain cancers and other health effects, which is why New Hampshire lowered its enforceable arsenic standard to 5 parts per billion in 2021. This is a long-term exposure issue, not an emergency, and it is very treatable once you know your level.
What does arsenic treatment cost in New Hampshire?
Cost depends on your arsenic level, whether other contaminants are present, and whether you choose a point-of-use system for drinking water or a whole-house system. A point-of-use system is the lower-cost option, and a whole-house system that treats several contaminants costs more. The free in-home test and written quote give you a real number for your home.
Do I need a whole-house system or just a drinking-water system?
It depends on which contaminants are present and how you use your water. Some homeowners only need a point-of-use system at the kitchen tap, while homes with several contaminants or higher levels often benefit from a whole-house system. The contractor recommends the right approach after testing your water.
How often should I test my well?
NHDES recommends a standard water analysis every three to five years, testing for bacteria and nitrate every year, and testing for radon and uranium every three to five years. It is also worth testing after any change in taste, color, or odor, or when buying or selling a home.
Is the water test really free?
Yes. The licensed contractor you are matched with provides a free in-home water test and a written, no-obligation quote. You are under no obligation to move forward.
Do you install the system?
No. NH Well Water Treatment is a marketing service operated by Compass Camper LLC. We connect you with a licensed local water treatment contractor who tests your water and installs any system. We do not perform water treatment work ourselves.
How long does treatment take to install?
It varies by the system and your plumbing. A point-of-use system is usually a short visit, while a whole-house system takes longer. The contractor gives you a realistic timeline as part of the written quote.
Find Out What Is in Your Well Water
Testing is the sensible first step. Request a free in-home water test and a written quote from a licensed local contractor. No obligation.