CITY REPORT NH

Etna, NH Water Safety: 53/100 (2026)

1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03

Public water compliance in Etna falls below the NH baseline — elevated violation rates are on record.

How Etna Compares

Etna53/100
New Hampshire avg64/100
National avg67/100

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03

1
ZIP Codes
1
Water Systems
0
ZIPs with Violations
D · 53
Avg Safety Score
Zone 2
Radon Risk (Moderate)
$798K
Median Home Value
$400
Est. Remediation (0.1% of home value)

Key Facts for Etna Residents

  • Homes built before 1986: 72% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
  • Estimated remediation: $400 per household.
  • CDC health risk index: 11.38.

Etna's Water Providers

Etna, NH runs on one primary water provider among the 1 federally tracked system. A single utility is responsible for the overwhelming share of residential supply — including the infrastructure, compliance filings, and rate schedules that govern service for most households.

HANOVER WATER DEPT
Serves ~8,500 people
53
/100

Overview

We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Etna, New Hampshire (population ~1,139), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 8,500 people region-wide.

No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Etna — an excellent indicator of water quality.

Home Safety Score

Average Home Safety Score for Etna: D (53/100)

The score combines three factors:

Factor What It Measures
Water Quality EPA violations and compliance history
Lead Levels 90th percentile lead concentration vs EPA action level
Radon Risk EPA radon zone classification

Water Sources

Etna water systems draw from: Surface water.

Lead & Copper

  • Lead data: not yet available for Etna
  • 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level

Radon Risk

Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)

The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.

Areas with No Violations

ZIP Code Safety Score System Population
03750 D HANOVER WATER DEPT 8,500

All ZIP Codes in Etna

Data Sources

Updated daily.

Etna Community Health Snapshot

10.4%
Asthma (US: 9.8%)
9.3%
Diabetes (US: 10.4%)
15%
Poor Mental Health (US: 14.8%)

Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.

Compared to National Average

Asthma 10.4% ↑
Diabetes 9.3% ↓
Mental Health 15% ↑

Vertical line = national average. Above national · Below national

Etna Infrastructure Age

1975
Median Build Year
72%
Built Before 1986
34%
Built Before 1970
Copper
Likely Pipe Material

With 72% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).

Housing Age Profile

Decades of residential development in Etna took place before the two main regulatory milestones that reduced plumbing-era lead risk: the phase-out of lead pipes before 1970, and the federal ban on lead solder in 1986. With a median build year of 1975, the housing stock here is anchored in that earlier period. The distinction between pre-1970 and 1970-to-1986 construction matters: the oldest homes may have lead pipes in the service line and lead solder in the copper joints, while the 1970-to-1986 tier still carries the solder risk even after lead pipes became less common. Together, these two risk layers affect a majority of the residential properties in the city — a fact the aggregate water quality data doesn't directly reveal.

1975
Median Year Built
72%
Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)
34%
Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)
Pre-1970 (34%) 1970–1986 (38%) Post-1986 (28%)

Over half of homes in Etna were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.

How Remediation Costs Compare in Etna

In Etna, property values comfortably outpace what documented remediation typically costs — the equity share is proportionally low.

Median Home Value
$797,600
Est. Remediation
$400
Remediation as % of home value 0.1%

Remediation costs in Etna are relatively low compared to home values. The $0–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 119% above the New Hampshire average.

Etna: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations

72%
Homes Built Before 1986

Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.

Wherever 72% of local housing was built before solder rules changed — as is the case in Etna — a faucet-level sample closes the gap that aggregate utility data cannot.

Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.

What You Can Do in Etna

  1. Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
  2. Install a certified water filter. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
  3. Check your home's plumbing. With 72% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
  4. Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the water safe to drink in Etna, NH?
Etna has an average water safety score of 53/100 (Grade D). No EPA violations on record. Check individual ZIP code reports for details specific to your neighborhood.
How does Etna compare to New Hampshire average?
Etna has an average water safety score of 53/100, which is below the New Hampshire state average of 64/100.
How many water systems serve Etna?
Etna is served by 1 public water system across 1 ZIP code, serving approximately 1,139 people.
How much does it cost to fix water issues in Etna?
Estimated remediation costs in Etna average $400 per household, ranging from $0 to $800. Costs include filtration, pipe replacement, radon mitigation, and flood protection.
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