How to get the $5,000 PFAS Rebate in NH

Many New Hampshire homeowners are asking how to receive a $5,000 rebate on the installation of water treatment equipment used to remove PFAS from their water. Below we’ve outlined how to get the $5,000 PFAS rebate in New Hampshire.

New Hampshire PFAS Removal Rebate Program for Private Wells

The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) announced that it is accepting applications for the PFAS Removal Rebate Program for Private Wells. “New Hampshire leads the country in identifying PFAS contamination and acting on those findings,” said Governor Chris Sununu. “These rebates will go a long way to help hundreds of homeowners affected by PFAS contamination to connect to clean drinking water sources or install treatment systems for their homes.” If you’ve installed a PFAS remediation system after September 30, 2019, or are currently considering it, you may be eligible for the NH PFAS Removal Rebate Program.

The Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Removal Rebate Program for Private Wells will provide a one-time rebate to private well users for up to $5,000 for the installation of PFAS treatment (point-of-use or point-of-entry) or up to $10,000 for a service connection to a public water system.

Note: Treatment installations completed after September 30, 2019, are eligible for this program. Eligibility must be determined through the application process and approval from NHDES to receive a rebate.

Applicants must be able to provide documentation of a PFAS exceedance with no offer of an alternate water source (bottled water, treatment, or service connection) from a third party. An exceedance is a PFAS result greater than one or more of NHDES’ Ambient Groundwater Quality Standards (AGQS).

Step 1: Test your well water to see if you have PFAS at qualifying levels.

There are a number of ways to get your water tested for PFAS contaminants. Secondwind Water can send a water specialist to your home to collect a water sample and deliver it to a lab for you, or you can bring a water sample to have the test completed at the lab of your choice. Pricing for PFAS testing varies due to lab requirements. 

If you prefer, Secondwind can send a certified water specialist to your home to collect a sample for PFAs testing and to do additional free water testing for other potential issues. The fee for Secondwind to process the PFAs test through our third-party lab is $340. The free additional testing we do is strongly recommended as some other less concerning water contaminants need to be removed in order for PFAs remediation to work properly.

Upon request, additional health contaminant testing for nitrates, bacteria, arsenic, uranium, lead or other contaminants often found in NH well water can be done via Secondwind or another third-party lab.

Step 2: Find out how much a PFAS water treatment system will cost.

If PFAS is found in your water and the amount is greater than one or more of NHDES’ Ambient Groundwater Quality Standards (AGQS) noted above, Secondwind will provide you with a quote for a PFAS water treatment system of your choice. You can choose to treat all of your water with a point-of-entry system, or simply your drinking water with a point-of-use system.

Step 3: Schedule your PFAS water treatment system installation

Secondwind’s friendly and professional Customer Service Specialists will work closely with you to accommodate your needs and schedule your installation in a timely and efficient manner. Secondwind Water Systems prides itself on workmanship and customer service. Our systems are known for being low maintenance and reliable, and have up to a 10 year warranty from the manufacturer in addition to Secondwind’s warranty.

Step 4: Apply for your $5,000 PFAS rebate with the State of New Hampshire. 

Complete, sign and submit the PFAS Rebate Program Application Form with required documents online (preferred), in person, or by mail.

Step 5: Enjoy PFAS free water

Currently, we recommend these two methods for treating PFAS:

Reverse Osmosis

Reverse Osmosis treats water by removing contaminants using pressure to force water molecules through a semipermeable membrane. For homeowners who want only their kitchen drinking water treated, we use a smaller adsorption filter. For home owners who want water treated as it comes into the home, we use carbon adsorption and can add reverse osmosis for the kitchen if requested. Our K5 reverse osmosis filtration system also filters out lead, nitrates and other impurities for the greatest peace of mind.

Adsorption

We use Adsorption instead of Absorption for PFAS treatment. Adsorption is the adhesion of atoms or molecules to a surface while absorption is when a fluid permeates a solid. In field studies and residential applications, we find that adsorption onto carbon is one of the best means for removing PFAS. Adsorption occurs when the PFAS chemically bonds to the media used in the filter. These filters can be set up in many different sizes and configurations depending upon the level of PFAS and the amount of water requiring treatment. Adsorption is considered a viable whole house treatment option.

In field studies and residential applications, adsorption onto carbon is one of the most effective means of removing PFAS. Adsorbers come in many different sizes and configurations depending upon the level of PFAS and the amount of water being treated.

Homeowners need to decide whether they want to treat all of the water coming into the home or just the kitchen drinking water. The current health risk is scientifically shown to be from ingestion, but some residents prefer whole house treatment due to bathroom water use at the faucet and possible water ingestion by kids in the bath. Your certified water specialist can talk with you about your preferences.