Algal Toxins in Merrimack County: Understanding Concord’s Water Data and Household Effects
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The Concord Water Department public water system, serving 44,215 people through 12,572 connections in Merrimack County, NH, shows no detections of microcystins, cylindrospermopsin, or anatoxin-a above federal reporting levels in recent EPA monitoring from 2018 to 2020. There are zero EPA health-based violations on record for these algal toxins.
Fixtures, Appliances, and Processes Affected First
Water filters and pitchers
Devices relying on small pores or chemical adsorption can trap algal toxin particles if present in water.
Water dispensers and coffee makers
These appliances may accumulate algal toxins over time if source water contains them, potentially affecting taste or safety.
Ice makers and refrigerators
Ice production can concentrate constituents, making algal toxin presence more noticeable if any occurs.
Order to Rule Things Out
Check water clarity and taste
Look for changes; algal toxins generally do not cause turbidity but can affect taste.
Test household water
Lab analysis for microcystins, cylindrospermopsin, and anatoxin-a requires certified sampling to identify specific algal toxins.
Review municipal water reports
Confirm the Concord Water Department’s published results and health advisories.
Long-Term Effects of Untreated Algal Toxins
Gradual accumulation in plumbing fixtures
Prolonged exposure could lead to taste issues or staining although current Concord data show no detections.
Potential health considerations
In isolated cases, chronic exposure to algal toxins at high levels can have health risks, but no such levels are documented here.
Appliance degradation
Cyanotoxins may impact appliance components over very long periods if present, but this effect is not documented for Concord water.
Reading a Certified Laboratory Test
Naming the algal toxins tested
Tests report concentrations of microcystins, cylindrospermopsin, anatoxin-a in micrograms per liter (µg/L).
Understanding detection limits
Results below reporting levels (0.3, 0.09, 0.03 µg/L respectively) imply concentrations are too low to be quantified.
Interpreting absence of detections
No detection above reporting levels indicates the toxins are either absent or below measurable amounts, not necessarily zero.
Sample Size and Data Scope
Number of samples
Eight samples tested for each of the three algal toxins during 2018-2020 monitoring.
Number of wells or water sources
Concord’s supply is surface water from the system serving the entire city, not individual wells.
Implications of small sample size
Limited sampling may miss rare or transient toxin occurrences; ongoing monitoring is important.
Comparing Merrimack County to Neighboring Areas
Use official municipal water data
Neighboring counties may show different algal toxin occurrence; comparison requires respective regional data.
Avoid inferring individual household water quality
Different water sources and treatment methods between counties or municipalities limit direct comparisons.
Consider environmental factors
Surface water bodies vary naturally in algal presence, affecting toxin levels regionally.
What Not to Conclude: Concord’s public water data showing no detected algal toxins above reporting levels does not guarantee that any individual household’s water is free of algal toxins. Testing your own water is necessary to know your water’s specific condition. Also, the absence of detections in municipal records is not an absolute statement on safety but an indication of monitored quality over the samples tested. The Fleck Algal Toxins Filter ships ready to configure for homes that require targeted treatment to address potential cyanotoxins once confirmed present by testing.
Where this information comes from
Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2018-09-18. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.
On record: EPA UCMR4 monitoring (2018-2020) for Concord Water Dept. (NH0501010), NH: 24 results across 3 listed contaminants, 0 detections above the reporting level; nothing detected above the method reporting level