1. NHDES Private Well Initiative 2000 - 2016 Paul Susca Drinking Water and Groundwater Bureau

2. Private Wells and Public Health A primary source of DW A primary source of DW Contaminants present at unhealthy levels Contaminants present at unhealthy levels Many PW users not properly treating water Many PW users not properly treating water Source: NHDHHS, 2014 BRFSS Survey 2

3. Sodium (250 mg/L) 1% 3 NOTES 1 Ninety-eight (98) percent of all new wellsin New Hampshireare bedrock wells. Two percent are “overburden” wellsdug, driven, ordrilledinto unconsolidatedsoil androck overlying bedrock.It is DES’ experience that overburden wells aremore vulnerable tobacteria, nitrates, iron,manganese and chloride contamination. (B. Lucey, 2009) 2 Approximately 20 percent of353 privatebedrock wellssampledfor arsenicin Hillsborough, Rockingham, and Strafford counties(which include 75% of the state’s population)exceeded the MCL. (U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 051-03) The percentages of wells exceeding the arsenic MCLreported inother USGSstudies suggest that arsenic concentrations in private wells vary statewide; however, thepercentages of private wells exceeding the MCL in other countiesis not known. According to personal communication from Keith Robinson, USGS (7/14/2009) “An estimated 20 percent of wells in the state have arsenic above the drinking water criteria; in some areas it is as high as one in 2 wells." 3 Percentages are derived from recent DES lab datafor private wells(samples taken between 4/2/06– 10/24/08): bacteria (N=6,196), chloride (N=4,757) copper (N=3,331, flushed samples), lead (N=3,420, flushed samples) and sodium (N=3,323).Lead and copper sample results do not include “stagnant” samples thatunder certainconditions (e.g. corrosive water)would significantly increase the percentage of wells exceeding the action level. For community water systems,EPA Action Levels for Lead and Copper must be met in at least 90 percent of sampling points, which are selected to represent locations most likely to have high levels of those contaminants. Bacteria contamination is usually related to poor well construction and/or maintenance. Estimated Percentages of Private Wells in NH Exceeding Drinking Water Standards Health-Based Aesthetic

4. Source: Steinmaus, UC/SF – UC/Berkeley

5. NHDES Messaging 46% of NH residents rely on private wells 46% of NH residents rely on private wells No statewide testing requirements No statewide testing requirements Natural contaminants commonly occur at unhealthy levels, esp. As and Rn Natural contaminants commonly occur at unhealthy levels, esp. As and Rn Test according to guidelines in our flyer Test according to guidelines in our flyer Visit our website or call for list of labs Visit our website or call for list of labs

8. How to Interpret Results? Fact sheet for each contaminant on DES web site (“NHDES drinking water fact sheet”) Fact sheet for each contaminant on DES web site (“NHDES drinking water fact sheet”)

10. 2007-2009 Private Well Working Group Review of State Laws Licensing of well drillers Licensing of well drillers Construction standards for wells Construction standards for wells State Plumbing Code – “potable” State Plumbing Code – “potable” Real estate – disclosure of “known problems” Real estate – disclosure of “known problems” Rental housing standards – “adequate supply” Rental housing standards – “adequate supply” Do not ensure testing or treatment Do not ensure testing or treatment

11. 2009 Private Well Working Group Recommendations Improve public education Improve public education Amend the state building code to clearly define potable water Amend the state building code to clearly define potable water Require testing and disclosure of test results to buyers during real estate transfers. Require testing and disclosure of test results to buyers during real estate transfers.

12. Arsenic - Policy State State 2009 Well testing bill – died in committee 2009 Well testing bill – died in committee 2014 Real estate notification – enacted 2014 Real estate notification – enacted 2016 Child care licensing – rule changes pending 2016 Child care licensing – rule changes pending Local Local Several towns explicitly require PW testing Several towns explicitly require PW testing Plumbing codes require potable water Plumbing codes require potable water

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14. CDC Grant – NHDES (& DPHS) Part of National Private Well Initiative Part of National Private Well Initiative Project Outline (through September 2015) Project Outline (through September 2015) Surveys on testing, treatment, barriers Surveys on testing, treatment, barriers Estimate exposure & health effects Estimate exposure & health effects Interventions: Community-wide testing events(?) Interventions: Community-wide testing events(?) Develop web-based tool for choosing treatment Develop web-based tool for choosing treatment Measure impact on testing, etc. (partnering with LANH) Measure impact on testing, etc. (partnering with LANH)

15. Outreach (2000 – present) Outreach (2000 – present) Private Well Working Group 2007-2009 Private Well Working Group 2007-2009 Legislation 2009 Legislation 2009 Since 2010 Since 2010 Dartmouth Toxic Metals Superfund Research Program Dartmouth Toxic Metals Superfund Research Program NH Pediatric Society, et. al. NH Pediatric Society, et. al. NH child care providers (day care) NH child care providers (day care) NH Building Officials Association et. al. – “potable” def. NH Building Officials Association et. al. – “potable” def. DES Private Well Initiative 15