Managing VOCs in Hillsborough: Addressing Solvent Compounds in Merrimack Water

The Merrimack Village District public water system, serving 25,500 people in Merrimack, Hillsborough County, NH, relies on groundwater and has no recorded EPA health-based violations related to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or any other contaminants. Government sampling reports from 2013 to 2015 reveal detections of certain VOCs but show no measurements above federal maximum contaminant levels (MCLs). Understanding these facts helps households recognize what the data means and how to address VOCs specifically.

1. Seasonal Water-Table Changes and Their Effect on Solvent Plumes

Groundwater levels naturally fluctuate with seasons, which influences the movement and concentration of solvent compounds under the surface. As the water table rises or falls, a plume of VOCs, if present, can shift relative to the depth of a well screen. For example, Merrimack's recorded MTBE detections—one report showed 9.4 micrograms per liter (µg/L), equivalent to 9.4 parts per billion (ppb)—reflect such environmental dynamics. These shifts can cause variation in VOC concentrations over time at a given tap, even if the water source itself remains constant.

2. Influence of Plumbing Materials and Age on VOC Presence

The materials and age of household plumbing components can affect VOC levels distinct from their source in the groundwater. Older plumbing may harbor residues or permit VOCs to off-gas within the system. While Merrimack’s public system water is monitored for VOCs at the source, individual household plumbing can alter VOC presence, making personal water testing necessary to evaluate specific conditions.

3. Impact of Household Size and Usage Patterns on VOC Treatment

Larger households, seasonal residences, or second homes experience different water demands and usage patterns that influence VOC treatment efficacy. For example, a household with higher daily water use might overwhelm existing treatment equipment that is already working but struggling to keep pace. Seasonal homes may face stagnant water periods where VOCs could accumulate. Tailoring solutions to these factors ensures better water quality management.

4. Removing VOCs with the Fleck VOCs & Industrial Chemicals Filter

The Fleck VOCs & Industrial Chemicals Filter directly addresses volatile organic compounds and related solvent contaminants by employing advanced filtration technology designed for residential scale. This Fleck system ships ready to configure and effectively reduces the presence of VOCs such as MTBE, chloromethane, and others documented by government monitoring. It does so without relying on assumptions about water chemistry beyond verified regional data.

5. Differences Between Public System Records and Private Well Testing

Public water system monitoring, like that documented for Merrimack Village District, reports aggregated results representing the source water serving thousands of connections. These records inform about the general water quality but do not specify conditions inside individual homes. Conversely, private well testing directly measures water at a single point of use, reflecting the effect of local geology, plumbing, and usage. Thus, private testing is essential to establish specific VOC levels for any particular household.

To determine if VOCs are present at levels of concern in your home, order a comprehensive water test targeting volatile organic compounds. A result providing precise concentrations in micrograms per liter (parts per billion) will clarify whether additional filtration beyond existing equipment is warranted. Informed by that, the Fleck VOCs & Industrial Chemicals Filter can offer a tailored solution to address any detected solvent compounds effectively.

Where this information comes from

Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2015-06-15. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.

On record: EPA UCMR3 monitoring (2013-2015) for Merrimack Village District (NH1531010), NH: 57 results across 7 listed contaminants, 1 detections above the reporting level; no federal MCL for these UCMR-listed VOCs