This agreement provides funding under the infrastructure investment and jobs act (IIJA) to the state of new hampshire to implement resources and priorities to help address per- and polyfluoroalkyl…

This $9,457,000 Formula Grant award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Small and Underserved Communities Emerging Contaminants Grant Program (CFDA 66.442) will provide funding to the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) to address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other emerging contaminants in drinking water. Key activities include:

• Sampling private wells in disadvantaged communities to test for PFAS, manganese, sodium, and other contaminants, and assisting well owners with interpreting results and implementing mitigation measures.
• Implementing community-wide PFAS testing events and continuing a PFAS removal rebate program for private well owners.

The award aims to reduce exposure to elevated levels of PFAS and other emerging contaminants, particularly in small and disadvantaged communities, and improve access to safe drinking water. The project period runs from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2030.

This agreement provides funding under the infrastructure investment and jobs act (IIJA) to the state of new hampshire to implement resources and priorities to help address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and emerging contaminant challenges; target resources to communities most in need of assistance to ensure that no community is left behind with unsafe, inadequate water; and advance the priorities of equity and environmental justice. The state of new hampshire (with the use of this award funding) will implement projects such as: - fund staff of nhdes to collect samples of drinking water obtained from private wells in new hampshire located in proximity to areas that are known to be or are potentially contaminated with poly- or perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The drinking water samples will be analyzed for PFAS and other analytes such as manganese and sodium (which are listed on the contaminant candidate lists) and other analytes necessary to optimize the design of PFAS treatment systems; - fund the costs of laboratory analysis associated with community based private well testing initiatives. The initiatives will target rural and/or disadvantaged communities in new hampshire; and - fund a PFAS removal rebate program for private wells. Activities:the activities include projects and activities to address emerging contaminants in small or disadvantaged communities, including but not limited to research and testing; planning and design to address emerging contaminates; treatment of emerging contaminants; source water activities related to emerging contaminants; storage; water system restructuring; providing households access to drinking water services; technical assistance; outreach and education; and workforce or training support to public water systems in addressing emerging contaminants. Subrecipient:the subawards will be to fund a PFAS removal rebate program for private wells.outcomes:this agreement is to an eligible state or territory to implement a program to provide assistance to address emerging contaminants in drinking water to small or disadvantaged communities. Funds are to carry out projects and activities needed for public water systems to comply with the safe drinking water act, programs to provide household water quality testing, activities for a state to respond to a drinking water contaminants, and activities that benefit the impacted communities. The anticipated deliverables include the following: - sample drinking water from private well owners that are disadvantaged and test the water for PFAS, manganese, sodium and other necessary parameters. - assist well owners with interpreting testing results and implementing mitigation measures where elevate levels of PFAS exist. - implement community-wide PFAS testing events. - continue to provide rebates under new hampshire's PFAS removal rebate program. The expected outcomes include the following: - number of drinking water samples tested for PFAS from disadvantaged private well owners. - number of homeowners educated about the quality of their drinking water from a private well. - reduction in number of people that are exposed to elevated levels of PFAS or other emerging contaminants. - number of entities that reduce exposure to PFAS contamination in drinking water due to the rebate program. The intended beneficiaries include small and/or disadvantaged public water systems to be identified in an updated workplan to be developed by the state. Beneficiaries also can include private well owners. Direct beneficiaries of this program include all state residents and occupants, both permanent and temporary.