Is New Hampshire Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Water quality data for 6 cities across New Hampshire. Find your city below.
Water quality in New Hampshire varies significantly from city to city. Across 6 cities we track, hardness ranges from 15 PPM in Keene to 31 PPM in Manchester, with a statewide average of 24 PPM. Most cities in New Hampshire have relatively soft water, so a softener is generally unnecessary.
2 New Hampshire cities have forever chemicals (PFAS) above the EPA's 2024 limit of 4 parts per trillion: Manchester (4.5 ppt), Manchester South (4.5 ppt). A reverse osmosis system or NSF P473-certified filter can reduce PFAS to safe levels.
Complete New Hampshire Guide
Statewide water quality overview, costs, and treatment recommendations.
Well Water in New Hampshire
Testing, treatment, and common issues for private wells.
Hardest Water Rankings
New Hampshire cities ranked by water hardness level.
City Comparisons
Manchester vs Keene
Side-by-side water quality comparison.
Manchester vs Dover
Side-by-side water quality comparison.
Dover vs Nashua
Side-by-side water quality comparison.
New Hampshire Cities by Water Hardness
| City | Hardness (PPM) | Level | PFAS (ppt) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester | 31 | Slightly Hard | 4.5 | Lake Massabesic |
| Dover | 30 | Slightly Hard | 0 | Bellamy Reservoir |
| Nashua | 28 | Slightly Hard | 0 | Pennichuck Brook & wells |
| Concord | 22 | Slightly Hard | 0 | Penacook Lake |
| Manchester South | 18 | Slightly Hard | 4.5 | Lake Massabesic |
| Keene | 15 | Soft | 0 | Babbidge Reservoir |