For those getting their wells tested for arsenic and other toxic metals through our “All About Arsenic” program, you may find it helpful to go right to the “Be Well Informed Guide,” which has information and guidance for treating your well water, if necessary. You can enter your test results and get recommendations. Be sure to choose µg/l as the units, as this is how your results are reported. The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services provides this resource to help well owners make sound decisions about water treatment. You will want to consult a water treatment professional if recommended.
Worth Watching:
EPA Standards for Drinking Water Contaminants
| Contaminant | Symbol | EPA Maximum Contaminant Level | *Standard Type | Common Sources of Contaminant in Drinking Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antimony | Sb | 6 ppb | Primary | Discharge from various industries |
| Arsenic | As | 10 ppb | Primary | Erosion of natural deposits and runoff from orchards |
| Barium | Ba | 2000 ppb | Primary | Erosion of natural deposits and industrial discharge |
| Beryllium | Be | 4 ppb | Primary | Discharge from various industries |
| Cadmium | Cd | 5 ppb | Primary | Erosion of natural deposits, industrial discharge, and erosion of galvanized pipes |
| Chromium | Cr | 100 ppb | Primary | Erosion of natural deposits and industrial discharge |
| Copper | Cu | 1300 ppb | Secondary | Erosion of natural deposits and corrosion of household plumbing systems |
| Iron | Fe | 300 ppb | Secondary | Erosion of natural deposits |
| Lead | Pb | 15 ppb | Primary | Erosion of natural deposits and corrosion of household plumbing systems |
| Manganese | Mn | 300 ppb 100 ppb if infant drinks water (Minnesota recommendation) | Health Advisory Level | Erosion of natural deposits and industrial discharge |
| Nickel | Ni | 100 ppb | according to ATSDR | Erosion of natural deposits and industrial discharge |
| Selenium | Se | 50 ppb | Primary | Erosion of natural deposits and industrial discharge |
| Thallium | Tl | 2 ppb | Primary | Industrial discharge |
| Uranium | U | 30 ppb | Primary | Erosion of natural deposits |
Helpful Information:
For those with questions about PFAS in drinking water, you may find helpful information at the following links:
- PFOA/PFAS in Drinking Water
- PFAS and Water Contamination: Information from consumernotice.org
- Health Effects of PFAS Exposure: Information from consumernotice.org
- EWG-Recommended Filters for Getting PFAS out of Drinking Water
Recently, a homeowner in our Maine PFAS project received help from the Maine State Housing Authority’s well water abatement program to install a water filtration system!
Maine State Housing Authority well water abatement program
New Hampshire supports PFAS testing and well remediation.
More information about Metals
- Maine Metals Fact Sheet
- Minnesota Fact Sheet on Manganese
- New Hampshire Fact Sheet on Manganese
- List of commercial drinking water labs in Maine
- Find a Lab in New Hampshire
- Maine State Housing Authority well water abatement program
- Financial Support
Websites for more information:
- “Maine CDC”: Information on arsenic in drinking water by the Maine Centers for Disease Control
- “Arsenic and You”: Information on arsenic in food, water, and other sources produced by the Dartmouth Toxic Metals Superfund Research Program
- “Be Well Informed Guide” information and guidance for treating your well water by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services