Short answer
It's worth checking. According to NH Housing's well guide, written with NHDES, PFAS has affected wells throughout New Hampshire and is found at elevated levels more often in southern NH. NHDES recommends testing a home's well for PFAS before you buy if it hasn't been tested. Known contamination can affect financing, and a state rebate program may help with treatment if levels are above drinking water standards.
What is PFAS?
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are man-made chemicals used in many household, commercial and industrial products and some firefighting foams. They're often called forever chemicals, and NHDES describes them as harmful to health. NHDES recommends that private well owners test for PFAS at least once.
What should I test for?
- Ask the seller for any past PFAS results. NH law also requires sellers to give buyers a PFAS notice (see NH seller disclosures).
- Get sample bottles from an accredited lab on NHDES's list.
- NHDES suggests testing for more PFAS compounds than the four with state limits, so ask the lab about its PFAS panel. Prices vary a lot between labs.
- Add NHDES's recommended standard well tests too; arsenic, radon and bacteria are common in NH wells.
Make your offer contingent on the results so you have time to react.
Can PFAS affect my mortgage?
It can. NH Housing notes that known PFAS contamination may affect your ability to finance the home. Some loans require a water test anyway; see which mortgages require a well test. If a test comes back high, tell your lender early so you can plan a fix, such as a treatment system, before closing.
Is there help if the water tests high?
NH Housing's guide says the NHDES PFAS Removal Rebate Program for Private Wells may offer free testing and rebates toward a PFAS treatment system when levels are above drinking water standards. NHDES also posts results from private well testing on its PFAS Sampling Dashboard. Details and eligibility are on NHDES's PFAS site.
Where can I learn more for a specific town?
Our town pages for Litchfield, Amherst and Merrimack cover local water and wells. Also see the well and septic guide.
Sources
- New Hampshire Housing, Water Wellness in New Hampshire study guide (June 2026), PFAS and testing chapters
- NH RSA 477:4-a, Radon, arsenic, lead, PFAS and flood notices
- NHDES, PFAS information
Checked November 2, 2026. Rules and dates change, so confirm current details before you rely on them.
General information only, not tax or legal advice. Program availability, eligibility and terms vary by lender and are subject to change and to underwriting approval. Not a commitment to lend.