WaterVerge

Is Newton, NH Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded B+, with 23 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

533 residents served 4 water systems PWSID: NH1752070
Overall Score
80.1 / 100
Violations
23 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#30 of 119 in New Hampshire Top 51% nationally
Private
Limited data available
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
B+GRADE
Water Quality Grade
80.1/100
waterverge.com
B+ 80.1/100

Newton, NH — Water Quality Report

Newton's drinking water received a grade of B+ (80.1 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 4 water systems serve approximately 533 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 111 violations on record, including 12 health-based violations. 23 remain unresolved.

Data last updated: May 2026 · Source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5
Analysis

What to know about Newton's water

Newton ranks #30 out of 119 cities in New Hampshire for water quality, placing it above average in the state.

Newton 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, Newton may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
80.1 out of 100 Grade B+
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
36.1/45
B
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
17/20
B
Lead and copper rule compliance.
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
5/10
D
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Newton, NH water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Newton's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B+ (80.1/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 4 water systems serve approximately 533 residents using groundwater (wells).

23
Active Violations

Recent water quality updates for Newton

A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Newton's water quality assessment. Grade: B+ (80.1/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

1 health-based. Contaminants: Arsenic.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Public Notice.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

1 health-based. Contaminants: Groundwater Rule.

Violation history

Newton's water system has 111 total violations on record, including 12 health-based violations. 23 remain unresolved.

MCLOtherTTMR
Most recent violations:
Oct 2018 Arsenic Resolved
Jan 2015 Public Notice Open
Nov 2014 Groundwater Rule Open
May 2014 Public Notice Open
Apr 2014 Arsenic Resolved

Where does Newton's water come from?

Newton's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 4 water systems serving approximately 533 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.

What Newton residents can do

Install a water filter

Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Newton's water.

Request your utility's CCR

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.

Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.

Compliance Record

Violation summary

111
Total violations
12
Health-based
23
Active / unresolved
Oct 2018
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

111 Total
23 Active
12 Health-based
88 Resolved
Violations by category
Total Coliform Rule
25
Synthetic Organic Chemicals
25
Volatile Organic Chemicals
21
Public Notice Rule and Revised PN Rule
13
Arsenic Rule
11
Jan 2015 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Nov 2014 Active
Groundwater Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
May 2014 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Jan 2014 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Oct 2013 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Jul 2013 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Mar 2013 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Oct 2012 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Aug 2012 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Jul 2012 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Dec 2011 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Dec 2011 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Oct 2011 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Apr 2011 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Jul 2010 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2009 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Nov 2007 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Oct 2006 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Jul 2005 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Jan 2003 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Showing 20 of 111 violations
Environmental Risk

Drought conditions

D2 — severe drought

Rockingham 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.

14
Weeks at D2+ (current streak)
7.7%
Months in D2+ (last 30y)
14
Weeks at D2+ (last 5y)

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.

Full contaminants report

No contaminant data available for this city.

Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Private
Population Served
533
Water Systems
4
Water Source

Where Newton's water comes from

Groundwater

Newton'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 533 people through 4 water systems.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving Newton

System Name PWSID Population Source
SARGENT WOODS NH1752070 230 GW
PACKER MEADOWS NH1752030 115 GW
MEADOWVIEW APARTMENTS NH1752020 100 GW
WILLOW GROVE TRAILER PARK NH1753010 88 GW
Regional Comparison

How Newton compares

Full New Hampshire rankings →

Newton's score of 80.1/100 is above the average of 69/100 among major New Hampshire cities. It outscores 5 of 10 nearby cities.

Newton (this city)
80.1
Manchester
50.9
Nashua
88.7
Concord
51.3
Portsmouth
80.7
Keene
89.2
New Hampshire avg
69
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Frequently asked questions

Is Newton, NH tap water safe to drink?

Newton's water quality earned a grade of B+ (80.1/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #30 out of 119 cities tested in New Hampshire.

What contaminants are in Newton's water?

111 violations are on record.

How is Newton'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 Newton?

Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.

Where does Newton's water come from?

Newton's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 4 water systems serving approximately 533 residents.

What health violations has Newton's water system had?

Newton has 12 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in October 2018. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 23 violations remain unresolved.

Is Newton's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Newton 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 111 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 Newton's water compare to other cities?

Newton ranks #30 out of 119 cities in New Hampshire (better than 75% of state cities) and #8028 out of 15744 cities nationally (49th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.