01The verdict: is Epping water safe?
Epping's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B (76.7/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 7 water systems serve approximately 1,858 residents using groundwater (wells).
16 unresolved violations on record
EPA records show open compliance items for this system. Most are administrative, but unresolved items are worth watching.
See what was cited ↓Top half in New Hampshire
Epping ranks #31 of 98 graded New Hampshire cities.
See the comparison ↓3 violations in the last five years
Recent compliance history is the best predictor of future problems — the year-by-year record is below.
See the record ↓Epping's drinking water received a grade of B (76.7 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 7 water systems serve approximately 1,858 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 106 violations on record, including 47 health-based violations. 16 remain unresolved.
Epping ranks #31 out of 98 cities in New Hampshire for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state. Epping 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, Epping may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
02What's in Epping's water
Every contaminant flagged in Epping, on one shared scale: distance to its own legal limit. The red line is the limit — anything past it is out of compliance, and the closer a bar gets, the less headroom the system has.
No contaminants were measured above screening thresholds in the most recent EPA sampling data for this system. The full testing table below lists everything checked.
Full contaminants report
No contaminant data available for this city.
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile lead PF PFAS in New Hampshire
Cities ranked by compounds detected Cu Copper in New Hampshire
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile copper
03Epping's ten-year track record
Each box is one year. A green check means no EPA violations; a numbered badge counts that year's violations — red if any were health-based, amber if they were monitoring or paperwork issues. The system has 106 violations on record, including 47 health-based violations. 16 remain unresolved.
6 of the last ten years were clean. The numbered years had EPA violations — red when any were health-based, amber when they were paperwork or missed-testing issues.
04Where Epping's water comes from
Epping's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
Groundwater
Underground aquifers reached by wells — naturally filtered, but can carry minerals like arsenic and nitrate.
Local treatment
Groundwater generally needs less treatment — typically disinfection and, where needed, mineral removal.
7 systems
7 water systems, operated under local government ownership.
1,858 people
Residents served across Epping's service area.
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 local government ownership and serves approximately 1,858 people through 7 water systems.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| EPPING WATER AND SEWER DEPT | NH0761010 | 1,600 | Groundwater |
| WOODLANDS | NH0762120 | 198 | Groundwater |
| VILLAGES ON THE LAMPREY | NH0762080 | 113 | Groundwater |
| PLUMER COURT | NH0762070 | 100 | Groundwater |
| MELLING GLEN | NH0762040 | 92 | Groundwater |
| GOVERNORS GREEN | NH0762050 | 53 | Groundwater |
| EVANS TRAILER PARK | NH0763010 | 47 | Groundwater |
Water bodies near Epping
These water bodies shape the regional watershed and can indirectly affect groundwater quality.
05Pressure on Epping's watershed
Outside forces that shape what reaches the treatment plant. None of these is a verdict on the tap by itself — but each adds pressure worth knowing about.
Industrial discharge
5 facilities within 10 miles reported 0 lb released to surface water in the latest EPA Toxics Release Inventory. Proximity doesn't equal tap contamination — treatment and hydrology decide — but it's pressure on the watershed.
Flood & storm history
10 federal disaster declarations on record for Rockingham County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
Superfund proximity
3 National Priorities List sites within 10 miles. Proximity does not necessarily indicate tap-water contamination — the connection depends on hydrology and treatment.
Drought
Rockingham County is in D2 (severe drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of Jul 2026). Drought can raise disinfection-byproduct levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.
06How Epping compares
Scores for nearby New Hampshire cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = New Hampshire average (66/100)
Epping scores 76.7/100 — above the New Hampshire average of 66/100. It outscores 5 of 10 nearby cities. Full New Hampshire rankings →
50.9 / 100ANashua, NH
88.7 / 100DConcord, NH
51.3 / 100BPortsmouth, NH
80.7 / 100AKeene, NH
89.2 / 100BDover, NH
84 / 100
Compare all cities in the county — grades, violations, and contaminant data side by side.→
07What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in Epping's water — not generic advice.
A basic carbon filter still helps
Epping's water meets federal standards, but a simple carbon filter improves taste and adds a margin of safety against short-term issues.
Compare tested filters →Read your utility's annual report
Every utility must publish a yearly Consumer Confidence Report with its own testing results. It pairs well with the independent data on this page.
How to read a CCR →Watch for Epping alerts
This area has a history of flood declarations — after severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories from the utility, and check the live alerts on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is Epping, NH tap water safe to drink?
Epping's water quality earned a grade of B (76.7/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #31 out of 98 cities tested in New Hampshire.
What contaminants are in Epping's water?
106 violations are on record.
How is Epping'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 Epping?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Epping's water come from?
Epping's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 7 water systems serving approximately 1,858 residents.
What health violations has Epping's water system had?
Epping has 47 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in October 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 16 violations remain unresolved.
Is Epping's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Epping 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 106 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 Epping's water compare to other cities?
Epping ranks #31 out of 98 cities in New Hampshire (better than 68% of state cities) and #9119 out of 15382 cities nationally (41th percentile). The grade of B reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.