PFOA/ PFAS Water Information UPDATE(s)

Updates and Links RE: PFOA/PFAS in Merrimack Water

In an effort to continue our commitment to the residents of Merrimack and to ensure transparency, the Town Council has and will continue to monitor and report on the PFOA water situation.  We are compiling and maintaining information from a variety of sources as it becomes available to us.  The following links will provide information that we have received and we will continue to update. 

*Initial inquiry regarding town water should be directed to Merrimack Village District at 603-424-9241
and for private wells please contact Jim Martin, NHDES Public Information Officer at 603-271-3710.*

The Town Council wants to assure the public that we remain vigilant regarding the safety of our residents and are making every effort to keep abreast of the myriad of complex issues related to this problem.  The Town Manager communicates almost daily with the
New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) seeking information and advocating for our residents.  Please check the Town’s website for a compilation of information and new information as we receive and post it.


As you know, NHDES has prioritized analysis of the private wells within a 1 mile radius of the Saint-Gobain site and undertaken other studies on the site in an attempt to determine the scope of the contamination.  It is our understanding that the radius will move beyond the one mile radius as results indicate.  In the meantime, those who are not within the 1.5 mile radius and wish their wells to be tested should submit their information at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NHDES-S-03-008

The New Hampshire Department of Environment Services (NHDES) website also has a large volume of information from many sources that is intended to address resident concerns:   *NH PFAS Investigation Website*

If you would like to receive email updates from NHDES regarding this investigation, please email james.martin@des.nh.gov.

As the information has become available, questions regarding soil, air quality, and any materials substitutions must also be addressed by the NHDES. The Council will push these concerns as well with them.
As you know, the Merrimack Village District (MVD) is a separate entity under state law.  Although we have no legal authority over the Merrimack Village District, we communicate with them frequently, exchange information, and monitor their tests analyses and future plans.  The MVD has been diligently working for resolution of the PFOA chemical in our Town water supply.  They regularly contact and meet with their consultants and NHDES. The MVD has signed a contract with Underwood Engineering to research filtration systems and make recommendations regarding viable options for the District in about 6 weeks.  Information from the MVD is available at:  http://www.mvdwater.org/

The Town is joining with Litchfield, Bedford and Londonderry in a consortium to focus on: monitoring and sharing information, responding to common concerns of our residents, and dealing with NHDES and Saint-Gobain.

On Friday, April 8, 2016, Senator Ayotte met with representatives of the affected communities and the MVD to get a more in-depth look at the PFOA issues.  The following actions by Senator Ayotte were suggested:

1.  Encourage the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to quickly establish lifetime PFOA levels in order to evaluate all water resources for safety.
2.  Encourage the EPA to establish a consistent laboratory standard upon which all testing water can be evaluated.
3.  Encourage the federal and regional EPA to become more visible and active in this investigation.
4.  Further explore and investigate the historical and current air quality monitoring practices of the NHDES.

Other Information:
  • December 2019 -  COMMISSION ESTABLISHED TO STUDY PFAS IMPACTS TO LOCAL AREA
  • 10/3/19 - Using the most recent and best science available, NHDES has enacted the following public drinking water standards that are protective for the most sensitive populations over a lifetime of exposure:
    PFAS    Final MCL and AGQS
    PFOA      12 ppt
    PFOS       15 ppt
    PFHxS     18 ppt
    PFNA       11 ppt

These MCLs are drinking water quality standards that non-transient public water systems (water systems serving the same 25 people more than 6 months per year) must comply with. An AGQS is the standard used to require remedial action and the provision of alternative drinking water at a contaminated site. It also dictates the conditions under which treated and untreated wastewater may be discharged to groundwater. Current law requires AGQSs be the same value as any MCL established by NHDES and also that they be at least as stringent as health advisories set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

More information regarding the MCLs can be obtained at the following link: 
https://www4.des.state.nh.us/nh-pfas-investigation/?p=1044

For those residents who have private wells. the new drinking water standards may encourage owners to test their wells for the newly regulated compounds. NHDES has compiled an updated well testing fact sheet available using this link: https://www4.des.state.nh.us/nh-pfas-investigation/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/pfoa-testing-labs.pdf

For information regarding PFAS treatment in your home or business, NHDES has compiled a fact sheet on treatment technologies for PFAS that can be found here: https://www4.des.state.nh.us/nh-pfas-investigation/?page_id=171

Correspondence:

EPA - United States Environmental Protection Agency:
New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES):