Tap Water Quality Report
Tap water quality in NASHUA, New Hampshire
Tap water in NASHUA, New Hampshire receives a grade of C (78/100) from TapWaterSafety.org. It's served by PENNICHUCK WATER WORKS. The most significant water quality concerns are: PFAS contamination; Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS) significantly above health guideline; Haloacetic acids (HAA9) significantly above health guideline; Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) significantly above health guideline. Data sources: EPA SDWIS, EPA ECHO, EWG Tap Water Database.
What's in NASHUA's tap water
Top water quality concerns identified by the EPA and Environmental Working Group across the utility serving NASHUA.
PFAS contamination
Severe concernPerfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) detected. PFAS are persistent chemicals linked to cancer and immune effects with no known safe exposure threshold.
Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS) significantly above health guideline
Moderate concernPerfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS) detected at 1.19 ppt, 1186x above the EWG health guideline of 0.001 ppt.
Haloacetic acids (HAA9) significantly above health guideline
Moderate concernHaloacetic acids (HAA9) detected at 17.8 ppb, 296x above the EWG health guideline of 0.06 ppb.
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) significantly above health guideline
Moderate concernPerfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) detected at 9.92 ppt, 110x above the EWG health guideline of 0.09 ppt.
EPA compliance record
Official U.S. EPA records for PENNICHUCK WATER WORKS (system ID NH1621010) for the last 3 years. Checked 2026-10-07.
Source: U.S. EPA Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO), from the Safe Drinking Water Information System. See EPA's full report.
Recommended filters for NASHUA
Filters matched to the specific contaminants in NASHUA's water supply.
Filter certified for PFOA/PFOS (NSF/ANSI 53 or 58)
$180-$750Reverse osmosis and some carbon block filters reduce PFAS. Look for certification to NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 for PFOA/PFOS.
Carbon filter certified for VOCs (NSF/ANSI 53)
$180-$599Activated carbon is effective for disinfection byproducts. Look for NSF/ANSI 53 VOC reduction.
Disclosure: TapWaterSafety earns a commission from purchases made through these links. This does not influence our scoring methodology or filter selection.
All contaminants detected in NASHUA's tap water
Every contaminant identified, compared side-by-side against US EPA legal limits, the EU Drinking Water Directive (2020/2184), WHO Guidelines, and California's Public Health Goal. Why we show multiple standards →
| Contaminant | Detected | EWG US health-based |
EPA US legal |
EU DWD Europe |
WHO global |
CA PHG strictest US |
Tested sample year |
Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) PFAS |
9.92 ppt | 0.09 | 4.0 | 100 | 100 | 0.007 | — | EPA violation |
| Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS) PFAS |
1.19 ppt | 0.001 | 10.0 | — | — | — | — | 1186× over |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA9) Disinfection byproduct |
17.8 ppb | 0.06 | — | — | — | — | — | 296× over |
| Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) PFAS |
2.63 ppt | 0.3 | 4.0 | 100 | 100 | 1 | — | 8.8× over |
| Chromium (hexavalent) Heavy metal |
0.0488 ppb | 0.02 | — | — | — | — | — | 2.4× over |
| Chlorate Disinfection byproduct |
117.1 ppb | 210.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Manganese Heavy metal |
6.37 ppb | 100.0 | — | 50 | 80 | — | — | Below guideline |
| Perfluorobutanoic Acid (PFBA) PFAS |
2.17 ppt | 1000.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Perfluorohexanoic Acid (PFHxA) PFAS |
1.79 ppt | 1000.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Perfluoropentanoic Acid (PFPeA) PFAS |
1.27 ppt | 1000.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHPA) PFAS |
0.933 ppt | 1000.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) PFAS |
1.01 ppt | 2000.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Strontium Radiological |
0.0711 ppb | 1500.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
All values in the unit of the detected level. Red cells indicate the detected level exceeds that standard. Some contaminants have limits in some jurisdictions but not others (shown as —). The "Tested" column shows the year each contaminant sample was collected.
Sources: US EPA, EU Drinking Water Directive 2020/2184, WHO Guidelines, California OEHHA PHGs, EWG Tap Water Database.
Treatment plant contact info
For service issues, water quality concerns, or to request a Consumer Confidence Report from PENNICHUCK WATER WORKS.