Welcome. This website will be used to update interested parties on NHDES’ current investigation into the presence of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in New Hampshire. You can access our previous webpage for archived information: https://www.des.nh.gov/organization/commissioner/pfoa.htm.
Saint-Gobain Issues Letter on the Status of the Water Supply Well Sampling Program
Saint-Gobain sent a letter to NHDES on January 13, 2020 outlining how it intends to proceed with the Water Supply Well Sampling Program in light of the status of the PFAS Drinking Water Standards (MCLs) and Ambient Groundwater Quality Standards (AGQS). The Sampling Program is outlined in a Work Plan submitted on behalf of Saint-Gobain Read More
Update on New Hampshire PFAS Drinking Water Standards (MCLs)
In 2019, the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) adopted rules that establish health-based drinking water standards or Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) and Ambient Groundwater Quality Standards (AGQS) for four per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that include: 12 parts per trillion (ppt) for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), 15 ppt for perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), 18 Read More
Plan to Generate Surface Water Quality Standards
On December 30, 2019, NHDES submitted a plan to the legislature to establish surface water quality standards for four per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). This plan, in accordance with Chapter 368 laws of 2018, contains a schedule and cost estimates, was required to be delivered to the legislature for their consideration by no later than January 1, Read More
Legislative Commission on the Environmental and Public Health Impacts of Perfluorinated Chemicals.
LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION ESTABLISHED TO STUDY PFAS IMPACTS TO LOCAL AREA A law passed in 2019 establishes a commission to investigate and analyze the environmental and public health impacts relating to releases of perfluorinated chemicals (PFAS) in the air, soil, and groundwater in Merrimack, Bedford and Litchfield. The commission began meeting in October 2019 and information Read More
Slides from Nov. 20 Merrimack PFAS Community Meeting.
Slides from Merrimack PFAS Community Meeting, November 20, 2019
Public Notice – Saint Gobain Performance Plastics – Extension of Comment Period for Draft Temporary Permit (Air Permit)
NHDES has extended the deadline to submit written comments for the draft temporary permit (air permit) to Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Corporation to 4:00 pm on Tuesday, December 31, 2019. The comment period was set to close December 6, 2019. The application and draft permit are on file with the Director, New Hampshire Department of Environmental Read More
Water Quality Standards Advisory Committee Meeting, Dec. 6, 2019
Water Quality Standards Advisory Committee Friday, December 6, 2019, 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm Department of Environmental Services Room 112, 113, and 114 29 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH Proposed Agenda Include Discussion of NHDES Draft Surface Water Quality Standard Plan Legislative Update EPA Update Dissolved Oxygen Update Water Quality Standards Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda, Dec. Read More
“PFAS and Health”: A Free Information Session for Southern NH
A free information session about per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and health from state and national experts will be held tonight, Wednesday, November 20, 2019 from 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. at Merrimack High School, 38 McElwain Street, Merrimack, NH. Speaking at the event will be: Benjamin Chan, MD, MPH, NH State Epidemiologist, Division of Public Read More
Presentations and Video of Nov. 5 Public Hearing on Draft Air Permit for Air Pollution Control Equipment at Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics and Update on Southern New Hampshire PFAS Investigation
On November 5, NHDES held a public hearing on a draft air permit related to the installation and operation of air pollution control equipment at Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Corporation in Merrimack. Following the conclusion of the public hearing, NHDES staff provided an update on the Saint-Gobain site investigation activities and the response to assessing drinking Read More
Information on Nov. 5, Public Hearing on Draft Air Permit for Air Pollution Control Equipment at Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics and Information Meeting to Provide Update on Southern New Hampshire PFAS Investigation
Information Regarding the November 5, 2019 Public Hearing and Subsequent Information Session What is the purpose of the public hearing and information sessions? There are two events that will be held on the evening of November 5th. The first event is a public hearing regarding a draft Temporary Permit (draft air permit) that was Read More