Is Manchester, NH Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Manchester tap water is legally compliant, but one contaminant exceeds health guidelines. Specifically: PFAS above EPA limits (PFOA: 4.5 ppt — limit is 4 ppt each). A point-of-use filter is recommended for drinking and cooking water.
Hardness Scale: Where Manchester Falls
0Slightly
60Moderate
120Hard
180Very Hard
250Extreme
400+
How Manchester Compares
Manchester's water is 78% softer than the national average of 138 PPM - ranking in the bottom 81% for hardness nationwide. Most homes here do not need a softener. Within New Hampshire, Manchester has the hardest water out of 6 cities - 29% above the state average of 24 PPM. Among mid-size cities (100k-200k), Manchester ranks #157 of 189 for hardness.
What Manchester's Water Means for Your Home
Hardness: 31 PPM - Low Concern
Manchester's water is slightly hard at 31 PPM. Most households won't notice any issues at this level. Scale buildup is minimal, and a water softener would be overkill. Manchester is softer than 81% of US cities. If you're thinking about water treatment, contaminant filtration is where to focus your money, not softening.
Contaminants & Safety
Forever chemicals (PFAS) are worth watching here. Manchester has PFOA at 4.5 ppt, exceeding the EPA's 2024 limit of 4 ppt per compound. PFAS are synthetic compounds that accumulate in your body over time. A certified carbon filter or reverse osmosis system with NSF P473 certification is the most effective protection. See the regulatory timeline.
What's in the Treatment Process
Manchester's surface water supply requires heavy chlorination to stay safe — but that creates a tradeoff. The treatment process generates disinfection byproducts: HAA5 at 5.03 ppb (null% of the legal limit, but 84x the EWG guideline). These are within legal limits, but the EWG sets much tighter thresholds based on cancer-risk research. A whole-house activated carbon filter reduces both chlorine and byproducts.
Chromium-6 was detected at 0.0598 ppb, which is 3x the EWG health guideline. There's no separate federal limit for chromium-6, only total chromium. A reverse osmosis system is the most effective removal method. All measurements are within federal legal limits. The EWG guidelines represent a more conservative, health-based standard.
| Contaminant | Detected | Health Guideline | Legal Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness (as CaCO₃) | 31 PPM | < 60 PPM | No federal limit | ✓ OK |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 54 PPM | < 300 PPM | 500 PPM | ✓ OK |
| PFAS (total) | 4.5 ppt | — | No total limit | Detected |
| ↳ PFOA | 4.5 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ⚠ Exceeds |
| ↳ PFOS | 0 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ✓ OK |
| Lead | 1 ppb | 0 ppb (no safe level) | 15 ppb (10 ppb in 2027) | ✓ Low |
| Chlorine / Chloramine | 1 mg/L | Taste threshold ~1.0 | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ Normal |
| Nitrate | Not reported | 5 mg/L | 10 mg/L | N/A |
Recommended Filter for Manchester
PFAS exceed EPA limits (PFOA: 4.5 ppt — limit: 4 ppt each). A certified filter reduces these contaminants effectively.
Quick Fix for Chlorine: Shower Filter
At 1 mg/L chlorine, many Manchester residents notice dry skin, brittle hair, and that "pool smell" in the shower. A shower filter installs in 5 minutes, no tools needed.
How to Test Your Water in Manchester
With PFAS at 4.5 ppt in Manchester's supply, confirming your home's specific levels is especially important. PFAS vary by neighborhood and can concentrate differently depending on your position in the distribution system.
Free option: Request Manchester Water Works's annual Consumer Confidence Report for official city-level data.
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About Manchester's Water Supply
Water Utility: Manchester Water Works
Water Source: Lake Massabesic (Surface Water)
Population Served: 123,500
Hardness: 31 PPM (1.8 grains per gallon)
Manchester's drinking water comes from surface sources — Lake Massabesic. Surface water requires more extensive treatment than groundwater, including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection. This heavier chlorination is why disinfection byproducts tend to be higher in surface-supplied systems. On the upside, surface sources often deliver softer water than deep aquifers. The system serves 124,000 residents.
Water quality can vary by neighborhood and season. For your exact numbers, request Manchester Water Works's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) or test your own tap.
ZIP Codes Covered by This Report
This water quality data applies to all areas served by Manchester Water Works in Manchester, NH, including ZIP codes:
03034, 03037, 03040, 03043, 03045, 03047, 03070, 03082, 03101, 03102, 03103, 03104, 03105, 03106, 03108, 03109, 03111, 03281
If your ZIP code is listed above, this report covers your water supply. Water quality may vary slightly by neighborhood.
Compare Manchester to Other New Hampshire Cities
Frequently Asked Questions About Manchester Water
Is Manchester tap water safe to drink?
Where does Manchester's water come from?
Do I need a water softener in Manchester?
How do I remove PFAS from Manchester tap water?
What water filter is best for Manchester?
Is Manchester water safe for babies and infants?
What are disinfection byproducts in Manchester's water?
Is chromium-6 in Manchester's water?
Data sources: Lead and copper data from EPA Safe Drinking Water Act LCR reporting. Contaminant data from utility-reported testing results. PFAS data from EPA UCMR5 (2023–2025). Hardness from USGS and municipal reports. Data reflects system-level testing results and may not match your specific tap due to neighborhood plumbing, season, or recent utility changes. For your utility's latest results, request their Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). Our methodology. Last updated: 2026-02-24.
What Manchester Homeowners Actually Buy
Prioritized for contaminant reduction for homes with 31 PPM water and PFAS above EPA limits.
Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission. Selection based on Manchester's water data.