Is Amherst, NH Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded A-, with 5 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
85.1/100
waterverge.com Amherst, NH — Water Quality Report
Amherst's drinking water received a grade of A- (85.1 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 4 water systems serve approximately 512 residents using groundwater.
Lead data is not currently available for this system. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.
The system has 114 violations on record, including 9 health-based violations. 5 remain unresolved.
What to know about Amherst's water
Amherst ranks #21 out of 119 cities in New Hampshire for water quality, placing it above average in the state.
Amherst relies on groundwater, which is generally less vulnerable to surface contamination but can be affected by naturally occurring minerals like arsenic and nitrate, as well as agricultural and industrial runoff.
As a small community water system, Amherst may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Amherst, NH water safe to drink?
Amherst's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of A- (85.1/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 4 water systems serve approximately 512 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Amherst
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Amherst's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (85.1/100).
Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.
1 health-based. Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).
Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3360). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3333). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Violation history
Amherst's water system has 114 total violations on record, including 9 health-based violations. 5 remain unresolved. 1 violation was issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Hillsborough County has experienced 9 federally declared disasters since 1973. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies. Local water sources include Souhegan River, Nashua River, Merrimack River, Beaver Brook.
Where does Amherst's water come from?
Amherst's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 4 water systems serving approximately 512 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Souhegan River (river), Nashua River (river), Merrimack River (river), Beaver Brook (river).
What Amherst residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Amherst's water.
Your water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) with detailed testing results. Ask for the latest copy or check your utility's website.
Amherst's area has a history of flooding. After severe weather, watch for boil water advisories from your local utility.
Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.
Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Amherst
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Amherst, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
Total reported releases to surface water: 5 lbs
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
MARMON UTILITY LLC MILFORD, NH03055 | Copper | 5 | 3.9 mi |
COLT REFINING INC MERRIMACK, NH03054 | — | — | 7.2 mi |
ANHEUSER-BUSCH LLC (MERRIMACK BREWERY) MERRIMACK, NH03054 | — | — | 7.2 mi |
CIRTRONICS CORP MILFORD, NH03055 | — | — | 4.0 mi |
HITCHINER COUNTERGRAVITY CENTRIFUGAL CAST OPERATIONS (CCO) MILFORD, NH03055 | — | — | 4.6 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Superfund sites within 10 miles of Amherst
Superfund sites nearby
Federally tracked hazardous-waste sites on the EPA National Priorities List. Proximity does not necessarily indicate tap-water contamination — the connection depends on hydrology and treatment.
- FLETCHER S PAINT WORKS STORAGE2.5 mi
- SAVAGE MUNICIPAL WATER SUPPLY3.6 mi
- NEW HAMPSHIRE PLATING CO6.9 mi
- MOHAWK TANNERY9.7 mi
Source: EPA Superfund National Priorities List
Drought conditions
D2 — severe droughtHillsborough County is currently in D2 (severe drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of May 5, 2026). Drought can elevate disinfection-byproduct (TTHM/HAA5) levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.
Flood & disaster history
Hillsborough County has experienced 9 federally declared disasters since 1973. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
Full contaminants report
No contaminant data available for this city.
See how Amherst compares by contaminant
Explore where Amherst ranks among all New Hampshire cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Amherst's water comes from
Amherst's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil layers, generally requiring less treatment than surface water. However, it can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and minerals.
Agricultural activity, septic systems, and industrial operations near well fields can introduce nitrates, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds.
The system is operated by private ownership and serves approximately 512 people through 4 water systems.
Water bodies near Amherst
Amherst is located near 4 notable water bodies. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.
Water systems serving Amherst
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| SOUHEGAN WOODS | NH0072070 | 293 | GW |
| RIDGEWOOD ESTATES | NH0073030 | 115 | GW |
| GOWING WOODS | NH0072080 | 53 | GW |
| CONNOR COURT | NH0072090 | 51 | GW |
How Amherst compares
Full New Hampshire rankings →Amherst's score of 85.1/100 is above the average of 69/100 among major New Hampshire cities. It outscores 8 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View New Hampshire rankings →About Amherst, NH
Wikipedia →Nashua is a city in southern New Hampshire, United States. As of the 2020 census, it had a population of 91,322, the second-largest in northern New England after nearby Manchester. It is one of two county seats of New Hampshire's most populous county, Hillsborough; the other being Manchester.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Amherst's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Hillsborough
Frequently asked questions
Is Amherst, NH tap water safe to drink?
Amherst's water quality earned a grade of A- (85.1/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #21 out of 119 cities tested in New Hampshire.
What contaminants are in Amherst's water?
114 violations are on record.
How is Amherst's water quality grade calculated?
The grade is based on four factors: violation history (40%), lead and copper levels (25%), PFAS contamination (25%), and regulatory compliance (10%). The score is also adjusted based on how complete the available data is. See our methodology page for full details.
Do I need a water filter in Amherst?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Amherst's water come from?
Amherst's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 4 water systems serving approximately 512 residents.
What health violations has Amherst's water system had?
Amherst has 9 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in April 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 5 violations remain unresolved.
Is Amherst's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Amherst uses groundwater, which can be affected by naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate, as well as agricultural runoff and industrial activity. The system has 114 violations on record that may relate to groundwater quality. Groundwater systems are generally less susceptible to surface contamination but should be monitored for emerging contaminants like PFAS.
How does Amherst's water compare to other cities?
Amherst ranks #21 out of 119 cities in New Hampshire (better than 82% of state cities) and #5531 out of 15744 cities nationally (65th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.