Do I Need a Water Filter for My Home?

One of the cornerstones to a healthy lifestyle is hydration. There are few, if any, recommendations that health experts agree on more than that of maintaining adequate water intake. But enjoying a cool, crisp glass of clean water isn't quite as easy as it sounds, especially in certain parts of the state where the tap water may not be safe to drink. Lead, arsenic and PFAS (short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are just a few of the unwanted chemicals that can be found in tap water. Let's discuss the most common drinking-water concerns for households in our area and whether or not you should implement water-filter systems to ensure the health and safety of your family. Lead: In general, lead is not naturally occurring, but leaches into water from a lead section of pipe called a "service line" connecting a building to the water main, or a small section called a "gooseneck" that connects service lines to the water main. It can also come from a home's interior pipes, solder or plumbing fixtures. Approximately 2,500 public water systems span the state, and the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) is responsible for overseeing these systems. They ensure water safety through testing requirements mandated by the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. This act includes the Lead and Copper Rule, a 1991 regulation that was established to protect against the presence of lead and copper in drinking water by testing public water systems at service connection sites. NHDES water reports on findings are available online or outcomes can be found in the annual Water Quality Report produced by water suppliers. While about 54 percent of New Hampshire residents receive household drinking water from public water systems, that means about half do not. Although they do not need to be concerned by service lines or goosenecks, residential wells can still have lead that leaches from interior pipes, solder or fixtures. Because it can't be tasted, smelled or seen, NHDES says that having your water tested by an accredited laboratory is the only way to detect lead. Public water systems must meet a level of 0.015 milligrams per liter at the tap. Lead at any level is especially dangerous for babies and children ages 6 and under, as well as pregnant and breastfeeding women. If lead is present in your water, use bottled water for drinking, cooking and making baby food and formula. There are several steps available to reduce lead exposure through tap water. Experts recommend drinking only cold tap water and flushing the system by running it for one minute before drinking. Additionally, water filtration devices can be used to remove lead, such as home water filtration systems or water-filtering pitchers. Products should be certified by NSF/ANSI under Standard 53 for removal of lead in order to be trusted and effective. Arsenic: Unlike lead, arsenic does occur naturally in the state's ground water, as well as in foods, and is classified as a human carcinogen. Long-term consumption of water with arsenic can increase risks of cancer and cardiovascular disease, birth defects, developmental disabilities and cognitive skill impairment. Following research done by the University of New Hampshire, Gov. Chris Sununu signed HB 261 in July of 2019 to limit acceptable arsenic amounts in public drinking water to half the federal limit, or 5 parts per billion (ppb). It is estimated that two-thirds of all state wells are over 1 ppb of arsenic, with about 30 percent of private wells containing arsenic limits that exceed 5 ppb. Water testing every three years for arsenic is highly recommended by health officials and state agencies to ensure safety for consumption. There are several methods for removing arsenic contamination from drinking water, such as reverse osmosis filtration, activated aluminum filters and ion exchange resins. Point-of-use (at the tap) or whole-house filtration systems are both effective, although a limited number of water-pitcher systems are able to remove arsenic. PFAS: Additional chemical contaminants of concern when it comes to drinking water are poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS. These man-made chemicals were developed in the 1940s to repel water or make a product slippery and are now commonly found in many everyday products, including fire-fighting foam, food packaging and nonstick cookware. PFAS have been found to negatively impact hormones, the immune system, childhood growth and development, cholesterol, thyroid disorders and cancer risk. They have been found in wells throughout New Hampshire, with the highest levels being detected in southern parts of the state. In addition to enacting protective legislation, NHDES is working to implement additional policies and conduct more research into the harm caused by PFAS. NHDES recommends that residential wells be tested for PFAS by accredited laboratories. Although both whole-house and point-of-use filtration systems are available options for the removal of PFAS, water-filter pitchers have not been found to be effective at this time. For more information about water testing resources and treatment options, visit des.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt341/files/documents/labs-private-wells.pdf and www4.des.state.nh.us/DWITool/Welcome.aspx.