Why does New Hampshire have elevated arsenic in private wells, and how is it treated?

New Hampshire has the highest naturally occurring arsenic concentrations in the Northeast due to the regional geology of the Merrimack and White Mountain igneous formations. Arsenic leaches from arsenic-bearing pyrites and iron oxides in the bedrock fractures. The NHDES drinking water standard is 5.0 ppb. Ogden Wells designs and installs automated titanium-dioxide adsorptive filtration (Metsorb) and whole-house reverse osmosis systems that reduce arsenic to non-detect levels (<0.5 ppb).

What regulations govern well drilling in New Hampshire under NHDES?

Well construction in New Hampshire is governed by the NHDES Water Well Board under administrative rules Env-Wq 602. Only state-licensed well contractors and pump installers are permitted to perform work. Standard setbacks mandate minimum 75 to 100 feet from septic leach fields and 50 feet from tight tanks. A comprehensive Well Completion Report detailing borehole depth, casing length, overburden thickness, and certified test yield must be submitted to NHDES within 30 days.

What options are available for low-yield bedrock wells in New Hampshire?

In dense granite ledge where natural fracture density is low, Ogden Wells performs high-pressure zone-isolation hydrofracturing. Using 3,000 PSI hydraulic packers, we inject potable water to expand tight bedrock fissures and flush mineral fines. Over 95% of hydrofractured wells in Southern and Central NH achieve a 2x to 5x+ yield increase, restoring adequate domestic supplies without the expense of drilling a replacement well.

Regional Service Territory — New Hampshire

Water Wells & Groundwater Services in New Hampshire

✓ Licensed in NH · Serving New England Since 1980📞 7-Day Dispatch: 1-800-339-9051

New Hampshire Hydrogeology & Well Drilling Conditions

New Hampshire has the highest rates of arsenic in well water of any state in the northeast — it's a naturally occurring problem driven by the state's granite and schist bedrock. The NH DES requires all wells to be drilled by a licensed contractor and a Well Completion Report filed within 30 days. We test every new well and design filtration systems to address NH's specific water chemistry challenges.

Dominant Aquifer

Bedrock and Overburden Wells

Typical Well Depth

150–400 ft for bedrock; 30–80 ft for overburden in river valleys

Bedrock Formations

White Mountain granite, schist, gneiss — fracture-flow aquifers

Drinking Water Quality & Bedrock Contaminant Profiles in New Hampshire

Groundwater chemistry in New Hampshire is shaped by the mineralogy of its underlying rock formations. Our field testing and engineering team treats the following parameters statewide:

Arsenic

Geological Cause: Highest concentration in the northeast — iron sulfide minerals in NH bedrock release arsenic into groundwater

Engineered Solution: Oxidation + filtration, or whole-house reverse osmosis

Radon

Geological Cause: Granitic bedrock, especially in the Lakes Region and Monadnock area

Engineered Solution: Point-of-Entry aeration (preferred) or activated carbon filter

Uranium

Geological Cause: Some NH bedrock formations contain uraninite; associated with granite intrusions

Engineered Solution: Strong acid cation exchange or reverse osmosis

Iron & Hardness

Geological Cause: Common statewide from bedrock mineral dissolution

Engineered Solution: Water softener + iron filter combination system

New Hampshire Well Permitting, Setbacks & Sanitary Code Compliance

NH DES Env-Wq 602 rules govern well construction. Licensed driller required; Well Completion Report due within 30 days of completion. We file all paperwork.

Septic Leach Field:

100 ft minimum separation

Septic Tank & Sewer:

50 ft minimum separation

Property Boundaries:

10–25 ft municipal setback

7-Day Emergency Well Service & Pump Dispatch in New Hampshire

When your well stops producing water or an electrical pressure switch fails in mid-winter, waiting days for parts is not an option. Ogden Wells operates a dedicated mobile emergency service fleet ready to roll across New Hampshire:

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Boom Hoist Trucks

Equipped to pull 400+ ft downhole pump columns safely in all weather conditions.

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Onboard Inventory

Stocked with Goulds and Franklin Electric submersible pumps (1/2 to 5 HP) and Well-X-Trol tanks.

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State Lab Diagnostics

Same-day water sampling for bacteria, heavy metals, arsenic, radon, and pH chemistry.

Communities & Municipalities Served Across New Hampshire

NashuaManchesterConcordPortsmouthExeterDurhamDoverDerrySalemLondonderryMerrimackBedfordAmherstMilfordWiltonPeterboroughKeeneLaconiaWolfeboroPlymouth+ all regional New Hampshire communities

💡 New Hampshire has the highest percentage of private well users in New England — and the highest natural arsenic levels. Every NH well we drill gets a comprehensive water quality test.

Northeast Groundwater Territory

New England & New York Regional Coverage

Active drilling licenses, hydrofracturing rigs, and 7-day emergency pump crews dispatched throughout New Hampshire and across the entire Northeast corridor.

Ogden Wells Regional Coverage Map with New England Callout — Serving MA, NH, ME, RI, CT, VT, and NY

Frequently Asked Questions About Water Wells in New Hampshire

Get a Free Estimate

Fully licensed in New Hampshire. Providing professional well drilling and pump systems since 1980.

📞 1-800-339-9051 💬 Request a Quote

📍 7-State Coverage: MA · NH · ME · RI · CT · VT · NY

Our NH Services

✓ New Bedrock Well Drilling
✓ Submersible Pump Installation
✓ Pressure Tank Replacement
✓ High-Pressure HydroFracturing
✓ Whole-House Water Filtration
✓ Downhole Video Well Inspection
✓ 7-Day Emergency Dispatch
✓ Board of Health Permitting

Prevalent New Hampshire Water Parameters

⚠ Arsenic (highest in northeastern US)
⚠ Radon
⚠ Uranium
⚠ Hardness
⚠ Iron & manganese

New England Groundwater Fleet