Is Walpole, NH Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded D — but 1,4-Dioxane was detected above EPA limits. Here's what's in the water and how to remove it. What to do next ↓
48.7/100
waterverge.com Walpole, NH — Water Quality Report
Walpole's drinking water received a grade of D (48.7 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 3 water systems serve approximately 1,807 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 210 violations on record, including 6 health-based violations. 20 remain unresolved.
What to know about Walpole's water
Walpole ranks #83 out of 119 cities in New Hampshire for water quality, placing it below average in the state.
Walpole 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.
Hexavalent chromium (chromium-6) was detected at 0.20 µg/L in UCMR 3 testing. While below California's 10 µg/L limit and with no federal MCL set, residents sensitive to this contaminant may consider reverse osmosis filtration.
As a small community water system, Walpole may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
The system has seen 24 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Walpole, NH water safe to drink?
Walpole's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of D (48.7/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 3 water systems serve approximately 1,807 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Walpole
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Walpole's water quality assessment. Grade: D (48.7/100).
Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.
Contaminants: Public Notice.
Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), TTHM.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4740). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4624). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Violation history
Walpole's water system has 210 total violations on record, including 6 health-based violations. 20 remain unresolved. 24 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Cheshire County has experienced 10 federally declared disasters since 1986. 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 Williams River, Connecticut River, Cold River, Ashuelot River Below Surry Mt Dam,.
Where does Walpole's water come from?
Walpole's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 3 water systems serving approximately 1,807 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Williams River (river), Connecticut River (river), Cold River (river), Ashuelot River Below Surry Mt Dam, (river).
What Walpole residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Walpole'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.
Walpole'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.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Walpole
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Walpole, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
WHITNEY BLAKE CO BELLOWS FALLS, VT05101 | — | — | 6.2 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Drought conditions
D1 — moderate droughtCheshire County is currently in D1 (moderate 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
Cheshire County has experienced 10 federally declared disasters since 1986. 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 Walpole compares by contaminant
Explore where Walpole ranks among all New Hampshire cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Walpole's water comes from
Walpole'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 local government ownership and serves approximately 1,807 people through 3 water systems.
Water bodies near Walpole
Walpole is located near 4 notable water bodies. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.
Water systems serving Walpole
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| WALPOLE WATER DEPT | NH2401010 | 1,057 | GW |
| N WALPOLE VILLAGE DISTRICT/LOW | NH2401020 | 625 | GW |
| N WALPOLE VILLAGE DIST/HIGH | NH2401030 | 125 | GW |
How Walpole compares
Full New Hampshire rankings →Walpole's score of 48.7/100 is below the average of 69/100 among major New Hampshire cities. It outscores 2 of 10 nearby cities. 8 of 10 nearby cities score higher.
Nearby cities
View New Hampshire rankings →About Walpole, NH
Wikipedia →Walpole is a town in Cheshire County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 3,633 at the 2020 census.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Walpole's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Cheshire
Frequently asked questions
Is Walpole, NH tap water safe to drink?
Walpole's water quality earned a grade of D (48.7/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #83 out of 119 cities tested in New Hampshire.
What contaminants are in Walpole's water?
210 violations are on record.
How is Walpole'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 Walpole?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Walpole's water come from?
Walpole's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 3 water systems serving approximately 1,807 residents.
What health violations has Walpole's water system had?
Walpole has 6 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. 20 violations remain unresolved.
Is Walpole's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Walpole 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 210 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 Walpole's water compare to other cities?
Walpole ranks #83 out of 119 cities in New Hampshire (better than 30% of state cities) and #13426 out of 15744 cities nationally (15th percentile). The grade of D reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.