PEMBROKE, N.H. — A U.S. Geological Survey report says about a third of well water samples from southeast New Hampshire contained metals at concentrations that exceed federal standards.
Researchers sampled water from 232 private bedrock wells from 2012 to 2013, testing for levels of naturally occurring arsenic, uranium, manganese, iron and lead. Three in 10 had higher levels than those established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
The study released Monday focused on Hillsborough, Rockingham and Strafford counties, estimates:
• 49,700 people may use drinking water from wells with high arsenic concentrations.
• 7,500 people may use drinking water with elevated uranium concentrations.
• 14,900 people may use drinking water with high manganese concentrations.
• 8,600 people may have drinking water with high concentrations.
The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services encourages people to get their wells tested.
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