PFAS Removal Rebate Program for Private Wells

The NHDES will provide a one-time rebate of up to $5,000 per residential address to assist eligible applicants in the purchase and installation of a treatment system (point-of-use or point-of-entry) designed to remove Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance (PFAS) or up to $10,000 per residential address to connect to an existing public water system. For more information, please refer to the Rebate Program for Removal of PFAS in Private Wells - Final Funding Proposal.

The following entities are eligible to apply for the rebate program:

• Owners of single or multiple-unit residential properties serviced by private well(s).
• Tenants and occupants of residential property serviced by private well(s) where the owner of the property has not applied for the rebate for the same property.
• Treatment installers and contractors may apply in lieu of an eligible owner or tenant with an appropriate waiver of claims between the two parties.

An online application with instructions can be found here: NH Online Forms System - PFAS Removal Rebate Program for Private Wells.

There is an option at the bottom of this landing page to either “Begin Form Entry” or “Download Mail-in Form.” You may download the form to fill out electronically and email to pfasrebateprogram@des.nh.gov or print and mail to:

ATTN: Kathryn Moran
NHDES- MtBERB
29 Hazen Drive
PO BOX 95
Concord, NH 03301

If you prefer a paper copy, one can be mailed to you upon request. Please email the above email address or call Kathryn “KC” Moran at (603) 271-8539.

The following is a list of documents that need to be submitted with a completed and signed application:

• Pretreatment analytical lab results showing PFAS concentrations in your private residential drinking water well above one or more of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs). 
• Itemized sales receipt(s)/invoice(s) for all associated work.
• Manufacturer's specification sheets for treatment media and equipment installed, if applicable and available.
• Post-treatment analytical lab results showing PFAS concentrations below the EPA MCLs – not required for water system connections.
• Photo documentation of the treatment installed or service connection.

Yes - there needs to be documented PFAS concentrations above one or more of the EPA MCLs outlined below in the water collected from the private residential drinking water well.

Please note the above values do not reflect the current NHDES Ambient Groundwater Quality Standards (AGQS) and only reflect eligibility criteria for the PFAS Removal Rebate Program for Private Wells.

According to the EPA, “Decades of research show mixtures of different chemicals can have additive health effects, even if the individual chemicals are each present at lower levels. This means that low levels of multiple PFAS that individually would not likely result in adverse health effects may pose health concerns when combined in a mixture. The Hazard Index is a long-established approach that EPA regularly uses, for example in the Superfund program, to determine the health concerns associated with exposure to chemical mixtures.”

For additional information please see EPA’s Fact Sheet on PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation. 

A property receiving bottled water, an alternative source of drinking water, has had treatment installed and maintained, or has had an offer for any of the above by a third party is not eligible for the rebate.

Community public water systems are regulated by the Drinking Water and Groundwater Bureau and are required to treat for PFAS that exceed the NHDES standards to remain in compliance. Residents of public water systems are not eligible for the rebate. There are other funding sources to assist these water systems with drinking water remediation.

Yes, if you incurred a cost by sampling your well or by having had your well sampled by someone other than NHDES and you meet all other eligibility requirements for the program, this is a cost eligible for reimbursement.

Treatment systems or service connections installed after September 30, 2019 are eligible for the rebate if all other eligibility requirements are met.

Please refer to fact sheet DWGB 7-3 New Hampshire Residential Water Systems Service Providers for a list of treatment installers around the state. Please note that NHDES does not approve or recommend treatment installers for residential wells. The listing does not imply endorsement by NHDES. It is recommended homeowners obtain quotes from multiple treatment installers. 

There are multiple treatment options that are effective for the removal of PFAS. The two main treatment options are point-of-use (POU) and point-of-entry (POE) systems. More information on these can be found at: DWGB-3-25 Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in New Hampshire Well Water.

An additional resource to refer to when selecting a treatment option is Selecting the Right Option for You: A Guide to Ensuring Safe Drinking Water.

Both forms of treatment are an acceptable treatment option on their own. The rebate program will cover the expense of either a single POE or multiple POUs. 

The program will cover more than one POU installed at a single address up to the maximum rebate of $5,000. Multiple post-treatment analytical lab results showing PFAS concentrations below the EPA MCL may be required if the POU systems are installed on different dates or are of differing make and model. Should multiple post-treatment analytical lab results be required, the cost of both water tests would be considered eligible for reimbursement up to the maximum rebate amount. If you have questions regarding this requirement, please email pfasrebateprogram@des.nh.gov or call Kathryn “KC” Moran at (603) 271-8539.

This is a one-time rebate per residential address. Prior to applying, it may be beneficial to explore with your town/city whether a future water service connection is possible.

The contracted treatment installer may submit an application on behalf of an owner or tenant. Applications submitted by treatment installers will not be accepted if the owner or tenant has paid for eligible services rendered. Eligible services must be completed at no cost to the owner or tenant. NHDES will then reimburse the contracted treatment installer directly for eligible items.

Yes, as long as all the required documentation is submitted with the application to meet eligibility requirements.

The intent of this program is to aid with the expense of initial installation and does not include funding for the operations and maintenance (O&M) of the treatment system or service connection. It is important to note that proper O&M of any treatment is essential for effective contaminant removal. The cost of O&M varies with each type of treatment and should be considered when determining which treatment system to install.

Your water is likely to contain other contaminants such as arsenic, uranium, radon, manganese, nitrate and bacteria that present health risks and that are naturally occurring or originate from nearby land uses. While it is important for all private well users to test for these contaminants and others using an accredited laboratory to ensure that the water treatment technology selected is effective at removing any contaminants that are present at elevated levels, the rebate program will only cover the costs that are related to treating PFAS.

Yes - the post-treatment sample required for the rebate is an eligible cost for reimbursement under the program. NHDES is not performing post treatment sampling at this time. You can either employ the company that installed your treatment to collect a sample or refer to this list of labs that can assist: Laboratory Testing Guidelines for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) for Private and Public Drinking Water Supplies.
 

To receive payment of a rebate, all applicants must register as a vendor with the State of New Hampshire Department of Administrative Services. This registration supplies you with a vendor number that must be included on the rebate application form. You can obtain a vendor number by visiting the Vendor Resource Center. Please follow this guidance on Utilizing the Online Vendor Registry.
 

If you have additional questions, please contact the PFAS Rebate Team at pfasrebateprogram@des.nh.gov or (603) 271-8539.