Ground-Water Quality in Southeastern New Hampshire to be Studied

During the next several months, a study of arsenic in private bedrock wells will be conducted in
Rockingham, Hillsborough, and Strafford Counties by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the State of
New Hampshire, Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). These agencies are collaborating to determine how arsenic concentrations in water from bedrock wells vary across the region. Arsenic in ground water in southeastern New Hampshire is thought to originate partially from geologic sources. This new study will provide much needed information to both scientists and citizens regarding the occurrence of arsenic in well water. This information also will be useful to the public in making informed decisions about water testing and treatment.

Randomly selected well owners, who live in the three counties, will receive a letter and sample packet in the mail during April and May asking for their participation in this study. Approximately 400 water samples will be analyzed. Instructions on how to take water samples will be included in the letter. Well owners who decide to participate will receive a free, confidential arsenic analysis of their well water. Once the sampling effort is completed, a summary of the study findings for the three-county area will be published later this year. Data collection is for scientific purposes only and no specific well owner data will be published or released.

As the nation's largest water, earth and biological sciences and civilian mapping agency, the USGS works in cooperation with more than 2,000 organizations across the country to provide reliable, impartial, scientific information to resource managers, planners, and other customers. This information is gathered in every state by USGS scientists to minimize the loss of life and property from natural disasters, contribute to sound conservation, economic and physical development of the nation's natural resources, and enhance the quality of life by monitoring water, biological, energy and mineral resources.

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Editors Note:

In-depth information about USGS programs may be found on the USGS web page:

http://www.usgs.gov or http://water.usgs.gov .

Information about USGS Water-Resources Programs in New Hampshire and Vermont may be found on the web page http://nh.water.usgs.gov