Health Violations Found NH 4 HEALTH VIOLATIONS

Plaistow Water Department

EPA ID: NH1931010 · 465 people served · 2 ZIP codes

Federal data shows 2 unresolved violations at Plaistow Water Department — roughly 465 residents in the service area.

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02

C · 65
Avg Safety Score
465
People Served
2
ZIP Codes Served
4
Violations (5yr)
Surface Water
Water Source
Zone 2
Radon Risk · Moderate
1
Contaminants Flagged
$436K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Compliance Trajectory

Stable · Risk tier: High · 95% chance of violation in next 12 months

Violations went from 2 (2021) to 7 (2023). Violation counts have remained relatively steady.

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Plaistow Water Department Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade C

Service Area Demographics

$126,761
Median Household Income
15,072
Service Area Population
2%
Disadvantaged Population
20th
Poverty Percentile
60th
Energy Burden Percentile
67%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Plaistow Water Department serves a community with a median household income of $126,761 and an estimated 15,072 residents across its service area. Approximately 67% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

🌊 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Surface Water

Plaistow Water Department's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap.

Elevated Risk
Source Contamination Risk
30th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
80th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Rockingham County, New Hampshire rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.

Superfund Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 80th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites.

Infrastructure Risk

55 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
16 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 77% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Plaistow Water Department compares to EPA limits

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) 4 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.08 mg/L
Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns

What This Means For You

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) at 4 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.08 mg/L. Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.

PFAS Detected in Service Area

PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 10 detections recorded. 4 exceed federal EPA limits (4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS).

State limits: PFOA: 0.012 ppt, PFOS: 0.015 ppt, PFHxS: 0.018 ppt, PFNA: 0.011 ppt
Health concern: PFAS are linked to cancer, thyroid disease, immune suppression, and developmental effects. They do not break down naturally.
Recommended filter: Reverse osmosis (RO) or activated carbon filters certified for PFAS removal. Find the right filter →

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) was detected in this water system. granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration can reduce exposure.

Find a certified water filter →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in New Hampshire

Whispering Winds
460 people
0 violations
0 violations
0 violations
Hancock Water Works
450 people
B 0 violations
Rockhouse Mountain
480 people
0 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Water Filtration Flood Insurance PFAS Treatment Radon Mitigation
Water Filtration $600
Flood Insurance $600
PFAS Treatment $600
Radon Mitigation $400
Total Estimated Cost $2,200

Based on national averages for common remediation projects. Actual costs vary by property. Only issues flagged by EPA, FEMA, or state data for each ZIP code are included.

Cost of Inaction

If water quality issues in this service area are not addressed, the estimated financial impact per household is:

Estimated Healthcare Costs $500

Annual per household (CDC est.)

PFAS Exposure — Lifetime Cost $1,000

Per person (emerging research est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$2,665
10 years
$5,330
20 years
$10,660

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $2,200 (one-time) vs. $5,330 in estimated inaction costs over 10 years.

Estimates based on published EPA, CDC, and peer-reviewed research. Individual costs vary by household size, property, and health factors. These are conservative lower-bound estimates intended for awareness, not financial advice.

System Overview

Plaistow Water Department (EPA ID: NH1931010) is a community water system in New Hampshire that serves approximately 465 people from surface water sources.

This system provides water to 2 ZIP codes across 2 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: C (65/100)

Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.

Violation History

4 health-based violations recorded in the past 5 years. 2 remain unresolved.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
July 1, 2023 Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Health-based Resolved
April 1, 2023 Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Health-based Resolved
January 1, 2023 Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Health-based Unresolved

Contaminants Detected

The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Disinfection Byproducts 4 Yes

Health Risk Details

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) (EPA limit: 0.08 mg/L)

Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns At-risk groups: pregnant women, long-term consumers of chlorinated water, people who frequently shower in chlorinated water.

Removal methods: granular activated carbon (GAC), carbon block filter, point-of-entry aeration. Find the right filter →

Lead & Copper

No Lead and Copper Rule sampling data available for this water system.

Radon Risk in Service Area

Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)

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

Need help with your water quality?

Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400

Find the Right Water Filter

Free tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.

ZIP Codes Served

Coverage: 1 ZIP code confirmed via EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 plus 1 additional ZIP inferred from SDWIS registry data. The EPA-confirmed set is the most reliable; SDWIS-inferred entries may be narrower than the real deployment area.

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Plaistow Water Department (NH1931010) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Plaistow Water Department water safe to drink?

Plaistow Water Department has recorded 4 health-based violations in the past 5 years. While the system is required to treat water to meet federal standards, you may want to consider additional precautions such as a certified water filter.

How many people does Plaistow Water Department serve?

Plaistow Water Department serves approximately 465 people across 2 ZIP codes in New Hampshire.

Where does Plaistow Water Department get its water?

The primary water source is surface water.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from Plaistow Water Department safe to drink?
Plaistow Water Department has a C safety grade based on 4 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Plaistow Water Department's water?
Detected contaminants include Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM). Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 1 contaminant above EPA limits, a certified water filter can provide an extra layer of protection. The best type depends on specific contaminants in your water.
How many people does Plaistow Water Department serve?
Plaistow Water Department serves approximately 465 people with drinking water across 2 ZIP codes.
What is Plaistow Water Department's water source?
Plaistow Water Department draws water from surface water sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
What is the demographic profile of Plaistow Water Department's service area?
The Plaistow Water Department service area has a median household income of $126,761. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Plaistow Water Department get its water?
Plaistow Water Department's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap. Based on violation history and environmental factors, the source contamination risk is currently elevated.

What You Can Do

1

Test your water

Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →

2

Check your specific ZIP code

Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →

3

Contact your utility

Plaistow Water Department (EPA ID: NH1931010) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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