Lead Contamination

Lead in New Hampshire Drinking Water

Ranked by 90th percentile lead level (ppb) · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR

Cities Tested

Exceeds Limit

52%

% Exceeds Limit

24.7 ppb

State Avg

▲ 50% vs national

vs National

Health Violations

Analysis

Lead in New Hampshire: what the data shows

New Hampshire has 87 cities with lead monitoring data, with many cities exceeding the EPA action level of 15 ppb. The state average 90th percentile lead level is 24.7 ppb, compared to 3.3 ppb nationally — worse than the national average. 45 cities exceed the 15 ppb action level. High lead levels in tap water typically indicate aging infrastructure — lead service lines, lead solder in older plumbing, or lead-containing brass fixtures. There is no safe level of lead exposure for children. The 90th percentile measurement means that 90% of tap samples in a city are at or below the reported level. This is the standard EPA uses under the Lead and Copper Rule to determine if a water system needs to take corrective action. An NSF 53-certified pitcher or under-sink filter can effectively remove lead at the tap.

Comparison

Cities exceeding 15 ppb EPA Action Level

New Hampshire

52%

45 of 87 cities

→ ▲ 50% above national rate (worse)

National avg

352 of 15325 cities

City Map

Lead data across New Hampshire

Each dot is a city, colored by overall water quality grade. Cities with lead levels above the 15 ppb EPA action level are highlighted. Size reflects population served.

Worst Offenders

Top 10 cities by lead level in New Hampshire

Highest Lead levels (ppb)

All Cities

All New Hampshire cities ranked by lead level

#	City	Level	Exceeds?	Violations	Grade
1	Alton	210.0 ppb	Yes	31	D
2	Moultonborough	199.0 ppb	Yes	44	F
3	Northumberland	168.0 ppb	Yes	4	C+
4	Wakefield	116.0 ppb	Yes	15	D+
5	Greenville	110.0 ppb	Yes	14	D
6	Pittsfield	70.0 ppb	Yes	10	C+
7	Waterville Valley	69.0 ppb	Yes	5	B-
8	Wilton	63.0 ppb	Yes	2	B
9	Allenstown	60.0 ppb	Yes	32	C-
10	Andover	56.0 ppb	Yes	9	F
11	Rollinsford	43.0 ppb	Yes	19	C+
12	Enfield	40.0 ppb	Yes	50	F
13	Campton	37.0 ppb	Yes	76	F
14	Troy	37.0 ppb	Yes	5	B-
15	Belmont	34.0 ppb	Yes	47	F
16	Northwood	34.0 ppb	Yes	23	C
17	Hillsborough	33.0 ppb	Yes	104	D
18	Haverhill	32.0 ppb	Yes	18	D
19	Ashland	31.0 ppb	Yes	10	C+
20	Colebrook	31.0 ppb	Yes	4	C+
21	Loudon	31.0 ppb	Yes	58	F
22	Jackson	31.0 ppb	Yes	21	C-
23	Newfields	31.0 ppb	Yes	15	B-
24	Woodstock	30.0 ppb	Yes	13	B-
25	New London	30.0 ppb	Yes	29	C+
26	Gorham	30.0 ppb	Yes	3	B-
27	Barrington	29.0 ppb	Yes	117	F
28	Plainfield	28.0 ppb	Yes	4	C+
29	Goffstown	26.0 ppb	Yes	26	D
30	Madison	25.0 ppb	Yes	11	D
31	Epsom	24.0 ppb	Yes	27	D
32	Henniker	23.0 ppb	Yes	13	B-
33	Gilford	23.0 ppb	Yes	122	F
34	New Hampton	23.0 ppb	Yes	73	F
35	Brentwood	22.0 ppb	Yes	3	C+
36	Bethlehem	21.0 ppb	Yes	52	D+
37	Lisbon	21.0 ppb	Yes	6	C
38	Farmington	20.0 ppb	Yes	10	B
39	Charlestown	19.0 ppb	Yes	23	C-
40	Franconia	19.0 ppb	Yes	10	C+
41	Swanzey	19.0 ppb	Yes	22	D+
42	New Castle	17.0 ppb	Yes	20	C+
43	Sunapee	16.0 ppb	Yes	24	C+
44	Canaan	16.0 ppb	Yes	50	F
45	Warner	16.0 ppb	Yes	14	C
46	Newport	14.0 ppb	No	4	B-
47	Peterborough	9.0 ppb	No	12	A-
48	Littleton	8.0 ppb	No	16	A-
49	Bristol	7.0 ppb	No	4	A-
50	Grantham	7.0 ppb	No	11	B+
51	Lincoln	7.0 ppb	No	14	B+
52	Meredith	6.0 ppb	No	62	C-
53	Seabrook	3.0 ppb	No	29	C+
54	Franklin	3.0 ppb	No	2	A-
55	Stow	2.9 ppb	No	7	C-
56	Rochester	2.0 ppb	No	49	F
57	Salem	2.0 ppb	No	37	D
58	Milford	2.0 ppb	No	11	F
59	Claremont	2.0 ppb	No	6	A
60	Plymouth	2.0 ppb	No	50	C
61	Hampstead	2.0 ppb	No	17	B-
62	Wolfeboro	2.0 ppb	No	28	C+
63	Newmarket	2.0 ppb	No	28	B
64	Concord	1.0 ppb	No	1	D+
65	Dover	1.0 ppb	No	10	B+
66	Hooksett	1.0 ppb	No	9	A-
67	Raymond	1.0 ppb	No	52	F
68	Conway	1.0 ppb	No	95	F
69	Bartlett	1.0 ppb	No	193	F
70	Manchester	0.0 ppb	No	5	D+
71	Nashua	0.0 ppb	No	3	A-
72	Portsmouth	0.0 ppb	No	12	B+
73	Keene	0.0 ppb	No	13	A-
74	Merrimack	0.0 ppb	No	13	B+
75	Derry	0.0 ppb	No	63	F
76	Hudson	0.0 ppb	No	27	B
77	Durham	0.0 ppb	No	26	B
78	Exeter	0.0 ppb	No	60	F
79	Somersworth	0.0 ppb	No	35	A-
80	Lebanon	0.0 ppb	No	33	B-
81	Berlin	0.0 ppb	No	1	B+
82	Hanover	0.0 ppb	No	31	A-
83	Litchfield	0.0 ppb	No	0	A
84	Pembroke	0.0 ppb	No	18	B
85	Rye	0.0 ppb	No	5	A-
86	Jaffrey	0.0 ppb	No	8	B+
87	Boscawen	0.0 ppb	No	10	A-

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about lead in New Hampshire

Is lead in New Hampshire tap water a concern?

Yes — 45 of 87 cities with lead data exceed the EPA action level of 15 ppb. The state average is 24.7 ppb. Even below the action level, lead poses health risks especially for children and pregnant women. If your home was built before 1986, consider testing your tap water directly.

How can I reduce lead exposure from New Hampshire tap water?

Use an NSF 53-certified water filter, which is specifically certified to reduce lead. Run your cold tap for 30 seconds before drinking or cooking, especially if water has been sitting in pipes for hours. Never use hot tap water for cooking or making baby formula, as heat increases lead leaching from pipes.

Which New Hampshire cities have the highest lead levels?

The cities with the highest 90th percentile lead levels in New Hampshire are: Alton (210.0 ppb), Moultonborough (199.0 ppb), Northumberland (168.0 ppb), Wakefield (116.0 ppb), Greenville (110.0 ppb). See the full ranked table above.

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