New Hampshire Well Water Treatment Rebates
New Hampshire will help pay for your well water treatment system. Here's how to qualify and apply.
NH DES offers $5,000-$10,000 in rebates for well water treatment systems installed on private wells that exceed health-based standards. This is real money toward solving a real problem — and many NH well owners don't know it exists.
Who Qualifies
The NH DES Well Water Treatment Rebate Program is available to:
- Private well owners in New Hampshire
- Wells that exceed health-based water quality standards — including arsenic, PFAS, uranium, radon, bacteria, nitrates, and other contaminants
- Residential properties (primary residences are prioritized)
What Contaminants Qualify
Treatment systems that address any of the following contaminants are eligible:
| Contaminant | Standard | Common in NH? |
|---|---|---|
| Arsenic | 10 μg/L (EPA MCL) | Very common — ~30% of wells exceed |
| PFAS (PFOA) | 12 ppt (NH standard) | Common near contamination sites |
| PFAS (PFOS) | 15 ppt (NH standard) | Common near contamination sites |
| PFAS (PFHxS) | 18 ppt (NH standard) | Common near contamination sites |
| PFAS (PFNA) | 11 ppt (NH standard) | Common near contamination sites |
| Uranium | 30 μg/L (EPA MCL) | Moderate — from granitic bedrock |
| Radon | No federal standard; NH recommends action | Very common statewide |
| Bacteria | 0 total coliform (EPA MCLG) | Variable |
| Nitrates | 10 mg/L (EPA MCL) | Variable — septic-related |
Rebate Amounts
Rebate amounts depend on the type and cost of the treatment system installed. Point-of-use systems (like a kitchen sink reverse osmosis unit) typically qualify for lower rebate amounts, while whole-house treatment systems can qualify for the maximum.
How to Apply
- Test your water. You need documented test results showing your well exceeds a health-based standard. See our testing guide for how and where to test.
- Contact NH DES. Reach out to the NH Department of Environmental Services to confirm your eligibility and get application materials.
- Get quotes. Obtain quotes from licensed water treatment companies for a system that addresses your specific contaminants.
- Install the system. Have the treatment system professionally installed.
- Submit for rebate. Provide your test results, installation documentation, and receipts to NH DES.
Important: Program details, funding availability, and specific requirements may change. Contact NH DES directly for the most current information on the rebate program. Funding is not unlimited — apply when you qualify rather than waiting.
What Treatment Costs (Before Rebate)
| System | Typical Cost | Rebate Could Cover |
|---|---|---|
| Point-of-use RO (arsenic/PFAS) | $400-$1,000 installed | Most or all of cost |
| Whole-house arsenic media | $1,500-$4,000 | Most of cost |
| Whole-house PFAS treatment (GAC) | $2,000-$5,000 | Most of cost |
| Radon aeration system | $3,000-$5,000 | Most of cost |
| Multi-contaminant whole-house | $5,000-$15,000 | Significant portion |
For many NH well owners, the rebate can cover most or all of the cost of a treatment system. This is essentially free clean water — you just have to test, apply, and install.
Don't leave money on the table. Test your water. If anything exceeds standards, you likely qualify for thousands of dollars toward fixing it. Start with the test — it's the first step to both knowing what's in your water and accessing the rebate.
Sources
- NH DES — Well Water Treatment Rebate Program
- NH DES — Private Well Program
- NH General Court — Legislation Establishing Well Water Treatment Assistance