PFAS Removal Rebate Program for Private Wells

The NHDES will provide a one-time rebate of up to $5,000 per residential unit to assist eligible private residential well users 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 unit 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 applicant 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 application:

• Analytical lab results showing an exceedance of one or more of the PFAS ambient groundwater quality standard (AGQS) - not required if New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) collected the sample. 
• Itemized sales receipt(s)/invoice(s) for all associated work.
• Specification sheets for treatment media and equipment installed, if applicable and available.
• Photo documentation of the treatment installed or service connection.
• Post-treatment analytical lab results showing PFAS concentrations below the AGQS - not required for service connections.

Yes - There needs to be a documented AGQS exceedance of one or more of the four PFAS compounds outlined below in the water collected from the private residential drinking water well.

Anyone receiving bottled water, an alternative source of drinking water, or who has had treatment installed and maintained 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 standards to remain in compliance. Residents of these public water systems will not be eligible to apply 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, this is an eligible cost under the program.

Treatment systems 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.

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

The treatment installer may submit an application on behalf of a homeowner or tenant. Applications submitted by treatment installers shall not be considered eligible if the homeowner or tenant has already paid for eligible services rendered. Installation must be completed at no cost to the homeowner 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. 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 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 under the program. NHDES is not performing post treatment sampling at this time. Resources are being used to sample those NH residents that have not had a first sample collected yet. 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, you must register as a vendor with the State of New Hampshire Department of Administrative Services. This registration supplies you with a vendor code that must be included on the rebate application form. You can obtain a vendor code 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.