Elevated Levels of PFCs Found Near Rochester Business

February 4, 2017

Elevated Levels of PFCs Found Near Rochester Business
Concord, NH - The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) announced today that test results of a residential drinking water well in Rochester, New Hampshire showed elevated concentrations of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). Testing of residential wells near the Lydall Performance Materials, Inc. (Lydall), Rochester facility, was initiated by NHDES when results of one groundwater well (not used for drinking water) and three samples from lagoons and/or effluent from the facility, obtained during a permit renewal inspection, showed elevated levels of PFCs.
The New Hampshire Ambient Groundwater Quality Standard (AGQS) is 70 parts per trillion (ppt) for PFOA, PFOS, and for PFOA and PFOS combined. The test results for the impacted property showed 88 ppt of PFOA and 140 ppt of PFOS, a combined 228 ppt. Samples collected from the Lydall facility exhibited a combined concentration (PFOA and PFOS) of 443 ppt to 860 ppt. Test results of nine additional drinking water and monitoring wells in the area exhibited combined concentrations of 2.6 ppt to 24 ppt, which are below New Hampshire’s AGQS.
Since the initial test results, NHDES, Lydall and the City of Rochester have been working cooperatively on the ongoing investigation to determine the source of the PFCs. In the interim, Lydall is providing bottled water to the impacted residence. If Lydall is determined to be the source of the groundwater contamination, Lydall will work with the property owner and the city of Rochester to extend public water to the property.
Rochester residents with drinking water wells near the Lydall facility that would like to have their well tested for PFCs are encouraged to submit a request form located on the following website: http://www.des.nh.gov/organization/commissioner/pfoa.htm (NHDES will contact well owners if they are in the investigation area). For more information, please call Jim Martin, NHDES at (603) 271-3710.

*Note: The City of Rochester Public Drinking Water System is not affected by this incident.  Please call the Rochester DPW with any questions at 332-4096.