Common Water Problems & Solutions in New Hampshire

Hard Water

Hard water contains elevated levels of calcium and magnesium. It is one of the most common municipal and well water problems in New Hampshire.

Common Signs

• White mineral buildup on plumbing fixtures
• Soap scum on shower doors and sinks
• Spotty dishes
• Dry skin and hair
• Mineral rings in toilets
• Appliances wearing out sooner
• Soap that does not lather well
• Plumbing issues
• Stained, rough, or dingy laundry

Solution

A professionally sized water softener removes hard minerals before they can cause scale and damage your plumbing and appliances. A water conditioner can also help prevent scale and remove various contaminants from water.

Rotten Egg Odor

Water that smells like rotten eggs is often caused by hydrogen sulfide gas. This can be linked to sulfur bacteria or naturally occurring groundwater conditions. In some cases, the odor may come from your water heater rather than your water supply if the anode rod needs replacing.

Common Signs

• Rotten egg smell from faucets and showers
• Strong odor when running hot water
• Bad smell after water sits unused
• Odor that gets worse over time
• Slime buildup in pipes, aerators, and toilet tanks from sulfur bacteria

Solution

Testing identifies the source of the odor. Depending on the cause, treatment may include oxidation, filtration, chemical disinfection, or water heater service.

Acidic Water

Acidic water has a low pH and can slowly corrode plumbing and fixtures.

Common Signs

• Blue-green stains in sinks, tubs, and on laundry
• Pinhole pipe leaks
• Metallic taste in water
• Corroded plumbing fixtures

Solution

Acid neutralizers raise your water’s pH and help protect plumbing, fixtures, and appliances from corrosion.

Cloudy Water or Turbidity

Cloudy water is often caused by suspended particles, sediment, air bubbles, or naturally occurring minerals.

Common Signs

• Cloudy or hazy water
• Water that looks dirty
• Sediment collecting in glasses
• Discoloration
• Flecks in water

Solution

Sediment filters and other filtration systems can improve water clarity and protect plumbing and treatment equipment.

Chlorine Taste & Odor

Municipal water suppliers often use chlorine to disinfect drinking water. While it helps keep water free of harmful bacteria, many homeowners dislike its taste and smell.

Common Signs

• Swimming pool smell
• Chemical taste
• Dry skin after bathing
• Dry hair

Solution

Whole-house carbon filtration systems help reduce chlorine throughout the home. Drinking water filtration systems provide cleaner, better-tasting water at the tap.

Iron & Manganese

Iron and manganese are naturally occurring metals commonly found in New Hampshire groundwater. While they are not usually considered health concerns at typical residential levels, they can create frustrating household problems.

Common Signs

• Orange, reddish, brown, or black stains
• Metallic taste or odor in water
• Gray or rust-colored laundry stains
• Clogged plumbing fixtures
• Black residue in toilets or sinks
• Tarnished silverware
• Rust flakes in water
• Buildup in pipes
• Slime accumulation from iron or manganese bacteria

Solution

Iron and manganese filtration systems remove these metals before they cause issues.

PFAS Water Contamination

PFAS are man-made chemicals sometimes called “forever chemicals.” They break down very slowly in the environment and can remain in groundwater for years. New Hampshire has been one of the leading states in identifying and regulating PFAS contamination in drinking water.

Common Signs

PFAS usually have no taste, smell, or color, which means the only reliable way to detect them in drinking water is through laboratory testing.

Health Risks

Long-term exposure to PFAS may lead to some health effects, including:

• Higher risk of certain cancers
• Higher risk of preeclampsia or high blood pressure in pregnant women
• Immune system effects
• Disruption of the body’s natural hormone balance
• Minor changes in infant birth weight
• Variations in cholesterol and liver enzyme concentrations
• Developmental problems in infants and children

Solution

Professional water testing identifies PFAS contamination. Depending on your water quality, activated carbon or reverse osmosis systems can significantly reduce many PFAS compounds in drinking water. Some ion exchange systems with specialty resins are also effective.

Radon in Water

New Hampshire has some of the highest radon exposure risks in the country due to its granite bedrock. While radon is often associated with indoor air, it can also be present in private well water. When water containing radon is used for showering, washing dishes, or doing laundry, the gas can be released into the air inside your home.

A U.S. Geological Survey study reports that groundwater beneath over half of NH shows a 50% or greater likelihood of containing elevated radon concentrations.

Common Signs

Radon is a radioactive gas that has no taste, smell, or color. The only way to know if it is in your water is through professional lab testing.

Health Risks

Long-term exposure to radon increases the risk of lung cancer. Drinking water with high radon levels may also slightly increase the risk of stomach cancer.

Solution

Professional water testing can determine if radon is present in your well water. If levels are elevated, an aeration system is typically the most effective treatment. Granular activated carbon (GAC) systems may also be appropriate for lower radon levels.

New Hampshire Water Care can recommend the right solution based on your test results. View some of our radon removal systems.

Arsenic

Arsenic occurs naturally in local bedrock and is one of New Hampshire’s most common water contaminants in drinking water. In fact, private wells in the state have about a 25% chance of containing natural arsenic above 5 parts per billion (ppb).

The EPA’s enforceable Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) is 10 ppb for arsenic in drinking water. In 2019, the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) established a state arsenic MCL of 5 ppb.

Common Signs

Arsenic has no taste, smell, or color. Many private wells contain arsenic without homeowners realizing it.

Health Risks

Long-term exposure may increase the risk of:

• Cancer (such as skin, bladder, kidney, lung, nasal passages, liver, and prostate)
• Skin lesions
• Skin thickening and discoloration
• Partial paralysis
• Diabetes
• Immunological and neurological disorders
• Heart disease
• Stomach pain
• Nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting
• Numbness in the hands and feet
• Blindness

Solution

Professional water testing determines arsenic levels and type. Depending on the results, reverse osmosis or specialized arsenic removal systems can effectively reduce arsenic.

Arsenic can show up in two forms, and one is often tougher to treat than the other. Many filtration systems work better on arsenic V. If the water contains arsenic III, it may need oxidation first. This converts it into a form that is easier to filter out.

Nitrates

Nitrates commonly enter groundwater from fertilizers, septic systems, and agricultural runoff. Private well owners should test their water regularly because nitrate contamination cannot be detected by sight, taste, or smell.

Common Signs

Most nitrate contamination has no visible signs.

Health Risks

High nitrate levels are especially dangerous for pregnant women and infants under 6 months old. Nitrates can interfere with the blood’s ability to carry oxygen and may cause “Blue Baby Syndrome.” Long-term exposure may also present health concerns for some sensitive adults.

Solution

Laboratory testing is the only way to detect nitrates. Reverse osmosis systems are one of the most effective treatment options for reducing nitrate levels in drinking water.

Lead

Lead can enter drinking water through older plumbing materials, like service lines, home pipes, solder, or fixtures.

Common Signs

Lead usually has no visible signs.

Health Risks

Lead exposure may affect:

• Brain development in children
• Learning and behavior
• Kidney function
• Blood pressure
• Pregnancy outcomes

Solution

Water testing identifies lead contamination. Specialized filtration systems certified for lead reduction can help protect your water. The most common systems that remove lead are reverse osmosis, NSF/ANSI 53-certified carbon filters, and some whole-house systems.