01The verdict: is Meredith water safe?
Meredith's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of C- (59.4/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 9 water systems serve approximately 4,361 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
38 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 ↓4K people, 9 systems
All figures on this page come from federal EPA compliance and testing data for the systems serving this city.
See the systems ↓6 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 ↓Meredith's drinking water received a grade of C- (59.4 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 9 water systems serve approximately 4,361 residents using surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 6.0 ppb (90th percentile), which is within EPA limits but above recommended levels. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program. The system has 292 violations on record, including 62 health-based violations. 38 remain unresolved.
Meredith ranks #63 out of 98 cities in New Hampshire for water quality, placing it below average in the state. The city draws from surface water sources, which are more susceptible to seasonal runoff and agricultural contamination, requiring extensive multi-barrier treatment including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection. While lead levels are within EPA limits, they are above the recommended 5 ppb threshold that health organizations consider ideal. A point-of-use filter adds an extra layer of protection. The system has seen 6 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
02What's in Meredith's water
Every contaminant flagged in Meredith, 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.
Full contaminants report
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EPA Limit | Unit | Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead (90th percentile) LeadHeavy Metal A toxic heavy metal that can leach into drinking water from older pipes, solder, and fixtures. No amount of lead in water is considered safe. Health EffectsBrain and nervous system damage in children, kidney damage, high blood pressure, and reproductive problems in adults. EPA Limit15 ppb action level Common SourcesCorrosion of lead pipes, lead solder, brass faucets, and household plumbing. | 6.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
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
03Meredith'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 292 violations on record, including 62 health-based violations. 38 remain unresolved.
5 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.
▼ Down 87 ppb since 1993. Latest reading: 6 ppb (2024) — 40% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Meredith's water comes from
Meredith's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Surface Water
Rivers, lakes, or reservoirs — more exposed to runoff, agriculture, and seasonal swings than groundwater.
Local treatment
Multi-barrier treatment: coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA standards.
9 systems
9 water systems, operated under local government ownership.
4,361 people
Residents served across Meredith's service area.
Surface water systems require multi-stage treatment including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards. These sources can be impacted by seasonal changes, stormwater runoff, upstream agriculture, and industrial discharge. The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 4,361 people through 9 water systems.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEREDITH WATER DEPT | NH1521010 | 3,750 | Surface Water |
| PATRICIAN SHORES | NH1522010 | 225 | Groundwater |
| GROUSE POINT CLUB | NH1522090 | 205 | Groundwater |
| FORESTVIEW MANOR | NH1524010 | 131 | Groundwater |
| SANDS OF BROOKHURST | NH1522040 | 80 | Groundwater |
| PINE HILL COMMUNITY ASSN | NH1522070 | 79 | Groundwater |
| BROOK HILL | NH1522150 | 68 | Groundwater |
| EAST BLUFF HIGHLANDS CONDOS | NH1522020 | 48 | Groundwater |
| EASTBLUFF VILLAGE CONDOS | NH1522030 | 48 | Groundwater |
05Pressure on Meredith'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
3 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 Belknap County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
Drought
Belknap County is in D1 (moderate 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 Meredith compares
Scores for nearby New Hampshire cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = New Hampshire average (66/100)
Meredith scores 59.4/100 — below 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 Meredith's water — not generic advice.
Filter drinking & cooking water
NSF-certified water filter. Lead detected at 6.0 ppb
Compare tested filters →Flush taps & check your service line
Lead leaches from pipes as water sits. Run cold water 30 seconds before drinking (especially mornings), and ask the utility whether your address still has a lead service line.
Lead risks explained →Watch for Meredith 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 Meredith, NH tap water safe to drink?
Meredith's water quality earned a grade of C- (59.4/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #63 out of 98 cities tested in New Hampshire.
What contaminants are in Meredith's water?
Lead was measured at 6.0 ppb (90th percentile). 292 violations are on record.
How is Meredith'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 Meredith?
While lead levels are within EPA limits, a filter adds extra protection. Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Meredith's water come from?
Meredith's water is sourced from Surface water. The city has 9 water systems serving approximately 4,361 residents.
What health violations has Meredith's water system had?
Meredith has 62 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2023. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 38 violations remain unresolved.
How does Meredith's water compare to other cities?
Meredith ranks #63 out of 98 cities in New Hampshire (better than 36% of state cities) and #11978 out of 15382 cities nationally (22th percentile). The grade of C- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.