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Community Water System · PWS NH1861010

Pembroke Water Works

Pembroke, New Hampshire 03275 - drinking water served from groundwater sources to 5,200 people, tracked in EPA SDWIS and UCMR5.

5,200
People served
146
EPA violations
45
Health-based
2 PFAS
UCMR5 result

The verdict

EPA records 146 drinking-water violations at Pembroke Water Works, 31% of them health-based - above the New Hampshire per-system average, and UCMR5 testing detected 2 PFAS compounds.

146
Total EPA violations on record
31%
Health-based (MCL / treatment failure)
5,200
People served by this system
2
PFAS compounds detected (UCMR5)

Water Quality Snapshot: Pembroke Water Works

Pembroke Water Works is a local-owned community water system that delivers drinking water to 5,200 residents in Pembroke, New Hampshire (Merrimack County) through 2,100 service connections. Its water is drawn from groundwater sources. EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System records 146 total violations for this system , of which 45 (31%) are health-based, meaning a contaminant exceeded an EPA Maximum Contaminant Level or a required treatment technique failed. A further 96 monitoring and reporting violations are on file. The most recent violation on record dates to 2010.

The most frequently cited contaminant at this system is Coliform (TCR), recorded in 45 violations (MCL, health-based). Under EPA's UCMR5 PFAS monitoring program, 2 PFAS compounds were detected in samples collected from this system, with a maximum reported concentration of 6.5 ppt (parts per trillion). PFAS are persistent synthetic chemicals linked to health effects at very low exposure levels.

Across New Hampshire, EPA tracks 2,453 public water systems serving 1,242,123 people, with 155,970 cumulative violations and 29,649 health-based violations on record. About 90% of systems in the state carry at least one violation, and state-wide the average per system is 63.6 violations. Statewide, 23 of 51 UCMR5-tested systems have reported PFAS detections (45.1%).

Pembroke Water Works's 146 violations sit above the New Hampshire average.

All figures above are sourced directly from EPA SDWIS and UCMR5 public data releases and are updated as EPA publishes new reporting cycles.

PFAS Detected

2 PFAS "forever chemicals" detected in testing under EPA's UCMR5 monitoring program.

Population Served
5,200
Total Violations
146
Health-Based Violations
45
Water Source
Groundwater

System Details

System Type
Community
Owner Type
Local
Connections
2,100
County
Merrimack
School/Daycare
No
MCL Violations
45
Monitoring Violations
96
Treatment Tech Violations
0

Violation History

Contaminant violations recorded by EPA.

Contaminant Category Count Latest
Coliform (TCR) MCL 45 2010
Public Notice Other 4 2010
Nitrate MR 4 1993
Nitrite MR 4 1993
1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene MR 4 1993
cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene MR 4 1993
Xylenes, Total MR 4 1993
DICHLOROMETHANE MR 4 1993
o-Dichlorobenzene MR 4 1993
p-Dichlorobenzene MR 4 1993
1,1-Dichloroethylene MR 4 1993
1,2-Dichloroethane MR 4 1993
1,1,1-Trichloroethane MR 4 1993
1,2-Dichloropropane MR 4 1993
1,1,2-Trichloroethane MR 4 1993
Tetrachloroethylene MR 4 1993
CHLOROBENZENE MR 4 1993
Toluene MR 4 1993
Ethylbenzene MR 4 1993
Styrene MR 4 1993
trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene MR 4 1993
Carbon tetrachloride MR 4 1993
Benzene MR 4 1993
Trichloroethylene MR 4 1993
Vinyl chloride MR 4 1993
Coliform (TCR) MR 4 2009

PFAS Testing Results (UCMR5)

Results from EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule. 2 of 232 samples detected PFAS.

Contaminant Date Result MRL Status
ADONA 7/19/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
11Cl-PF3OUdS 7/19/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFUnA 7/19/2023 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxA 7/19/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDoA 7/19/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDA 7/19/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOA 7/19/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpA 7/19/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxS 7/19/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBS 7/19/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
HFPO-DA 7/19/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFNA 7/19/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOS 7/19/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
NEtFOSAA 7/19/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS 7/19/2023 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBA 7/19/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
NMeFOSAA 7/19/2023 <6.00 ppt 6.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTrDA 7/19/2023 <7.00 ppt 7.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTA 7/19/2023 <8.00 ppt 8.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpS 7/19/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeS 7/19/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
NFDHA 7/19/2023 <20.00 ppt 20.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMBA 7/19/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeA 7/19/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMPA 7/19/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
8:2 FTS 7/19/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
6:2 FTS 7/19/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFEESA 7/19/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
4:2 FTS 7/19/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTrDA 7/19/2023 <7.00 ppt 7.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTA 7/19/2023 <8.00 ppt 8.00 ppt Not Detected
11Cl-PF3OUdS 7/19/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpS 7/19/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
NFDHA 7/19/2023 <20.00 ppt 20.00 ppt Not Detected
PFEESA 7/19/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMBA 7/19/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeA 7/19/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMPA 7/19/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
8:2 FTS 7/19/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
4:2 FTS 7/19/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
6:2 FTS 7/19/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBA 7/19/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
HFPO-DA 7/19/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeS 7/19/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS 7/19/2023 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
NEtFOSAA 7/19/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFUnA 7/19/2023 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxA 7/19/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDoA 7/19/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDA 7/19/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected

Verify This Water System

The figures above are aggregated from EPA's public databases. To verify the underlying records, or to file a complaint, request a Consumer Confidence Report, or check current monitoring status, go directly to the federal and state regulators that enforce the Safe Drinking Water Act for Pembroke Water Works.

Federal Source of Truth

EPA SDWIS, Federal Reports

EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) holds the federal compliance record for every regulated public water system. Open the system-level report by PWS ID:

View PWS ID NH1861010 on SDWIS

Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Reports Search

State Regulator

New Hampshire Drinking Water Authority

New Hampshire's primacy agency administers the Safe Drinking Water Act locally. Search EPA SDWIS for the current state contact, or use the state's public health or environment department portal.

Find NH regulator via EPA SDWIS

Violation Timeline

Each row links to the EPA SDWIS public record for verification. Cross-reference the contaminant code on EPA's federal report to see violation dates, return-to-compliance status, and enforcement actions.

Year (latest) Contaminant Category Count EPA Record
2010 Coliform (TCR) MCL 45 SDWIS / NH1861010 / 3100
2010 Public Notice Other 4 SDWIS / NH1861010 / 7500
2009 Coliform (TCR) MR 4 SDWIS / NH1861010 / 3100
1993 Nitrate MR 4 SDWIS / NH1861010 / 1040
1993 Nitrite MR 4 SDWIS / NH1861010 / 1041
1993 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene MR 4 SDWIS / NH1861010 / 2378
1993 cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene MR 4 SDWIS / NH1861010 / 2380
1993 Xylenes, Total MR 4 SDWIS / NH1861010 / 2955
1993 DICHLOROMETHANE MR 4 SDWIS / NH1861010 / 2964
1993 o-Dichlorobenzene MR 4 SDWIS / NH1861010 / 2968
1993 p-Dichlorobenzene MR 4 SDWIS / NH1861010 / 2969
1993 1,1-Dichloroethylene MR 4 SDWIS / NH1861010 / 2977
1993 1,2-Dichloroethane MR 4 SDWIS / NH1861010 / 2980
1993 1,1,1-Trichloroethane MR 4 SDWIS / NH1861010 / 2981
1993 1,2-Dichloropropane MR 4 SDWIS / NH1861010 / 2983

How Pembroke Water Works Compares

Cross-reference this system's record against state averages and the federal MCL framework for context.

Metric Pembroke Water Works New Hampshire avg Federal benchmark
Total violations 146 63.6 SDWA compliance, any non-zero count is a recorded breach
Health-based violations 45 12.1 Indicates a contaminant exceeded a federal MCL
PFAS detection 2 compounds 45.1% EPA final rule (2024): PFOA/PFOS MCL = 4.0 ppt
Population served 5,200 506 Sizing context for compliance burden

Sources: EPA SDWIS and EPA National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (40 CFR Part 141). State averages computed across 2,453 regulated public water systems in New Hampshire.

Federal MCL reference, Safe Drinking Water Act thresholds ▼
Contaminant Federal MCL / Action Level Note
Lead 0 mg/L (Action Level: 0.015 mg/L) Lead and Copper Rule treatment technique
Arsenic 0.010 mg/L (10 ppb) Health-based MCL since 2006
Total Coliform Treatment technique (RTCR) Indicator organism, monitoring trigger
PFOA / PFOS (PFAS) 4.0 ppt each (final 2024 rule) Compliance deadline 2029 (EPA proposed extending to 2031, not yet final as of May 2026)
Nitrate (as N) 10 mg/L Acute health risk for infants

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Pembroke Water Works water safe to drink? ▼
Pembroke Water Works (PWS ID: NH1861010) has 146 recorded violations in the EPA SDWIS database. PFAS contamination has been detected in UCMR5 testing, with 2 PFAS compounds found. This system serves 5,200 people using Groundwater sources.
How many people does Pembroke Water Works serve? ▼
Pembroke Water Works serves 5,200 people in Pembroke, New Hampshire. It is a Local-owned system using Groundwater water sources with 2,100 service connections.
What type of violations does Pembroke Water Works have? ▼
Pembroke Water Works has 146 total violations: 45 health-based violations (MCL exceedances or treatment failures), 96 monitoring/reporting violations, and 0 treatment technique violations. Health-based violations indicate contaminant levels exceeded EPA safe limits.
Has PFAS been detected in Pembroke Water Works water? ▼
Yes. UCMR5 testing detected 2 PFAS compounds in Pembroke Water Works's water supply: PFOS, PFBS. PFAS are persistent "forever chemicals" that do not break down in the environment.
What water source does Pembroke Water Works use? ▼
Pembroke Water Works uses Groundwater as its primary water source. It is classified as a Community Water System (CWS), serving residential populations year-round.
Where does this data come from? ▼
All data comes from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) and the UCMR5 PFAS monitoring program. SDWIS tracks compliance for all public water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
Data Sources: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), Q4 2025. PFAS data from EPA UCMR5 monitoring program (2023-2025). This data is provided for informational purposes only.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Data sourced from EPA SDWIS and UCMR5 PFAS monitoring data. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainWater Editorial

Every figure on PlainWater is rendered directly from EPA SDWIS drinking-water data, no number is typed in by an editor. This system's figures are rendered directly from EPA SDWIS data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.