PFAS Removal Rebate Program for Private Wells

If you prefer a paper application form, you may download the form by visiting the NH Online Forms System. There is an option at the bottom of this landing page to “Download Mail-in Form.” Alternatively, please email pfasrebateprogram@des.nh.gov or call Kathryn “KC” Moran at (603) 271-8539 to request a form be mailed to you.

Yes, there needs to be documented PFAS concentrations above one or more of the EPA MCLs outlined above in the source water collected from the private residential drinking water well within three years prior to the treatment system installation or service connection completion.

A property receiving bottled water, an alternative source of drinking water, has had treatment installed and maintained, or has had an offer for any of the above by a third party is not eligible for the rebate.

Community public water systems are regulated by the Drinking Water and Groundwater Bureau and are required to treat for PFAS that exceed the NHDES standards to remain in compliance. Residents of public water systems are not eligible for the rebate. There are other funding sources to assist these water systems with drinking water remediation.

The maximum rebate per residential address is:

1. Up to $5,000 for POE or POU(s) installation and associated eligible costs; 
2. Up to $10,000 for a service connection to a public water system and associated eligible costs; OR  
3.  Up to $10,000 for a service connection to a public water system and associated eligible costs, in combination with a previous rebate for an eligible POE or POU(s).

Rebates will be limited to a single payment per residential address except when:

1. The applicant has received preapproval under the income qualified eligibility requirements for a rebate to be distributed directly to a treatment installer or contractor and eligible costs have also been incurred by the applicant.
2. The application is for a service connection where treatment installation has previously been reimbursed through the program.

NHDES considers each application in the order in which they are received. Depending on the volume of applications that are received, it may take several months for NHDES to review your application.

If NHDES determines the application is incomplete NHDES shall notify the applicant of the reason(s) in writing. In response to being notified, an applicant may modify or supplement information and submit a new application.

If the application is complete and meets the criteria for reimbursement, NHDES shall provide a rebate for eligible costs and notify the applicant.

Yes, if you incurred a cost by sampling your well or by having had your well sampled by someone other than NHDES and you meet all other criteria for the program, it is an eligible cost.

NHDES is in the process of adopting administrative rules for the program. Once the rules become effective, rebate applications must be submitted within 12 months of the treatment system installation or service connection completion. NHDES anticipates the rules to go into effect in the spring of 2025. Until the administrative rules go into effect, treatment systems or service connections installed after September 30, 2019, are eligible for the rebate if all other requirements are met.

There are multiple treatment options that are effective for the removal of PFAS. The two main treatment options are point-of-use (POU) and point-of-entry (POE) systems. More information on these can be found at: DWGB-3-25 Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in New Hampshire Well Water.

An additional resource to refer to when selecting a treatment option is Selecting the Right Option for You: A Guide to Ensuring Safe Drinking Water.

Both forms of treatment are an acceptable treatment option on their own. The rebate program will cover the expense of either a single POE or multiple POUs. 

Costs associated with installing one or more POUs at a single address are eligible for a rebate up to the maximum amount of $5,000. Multiple post-treatment analytical laboratory results may be required if the POU systems are installed on different dates or are of differing make and model. Should multiple post-treatment analytical laboratory results be required, the cost of the required water tests would be considered an eligible cost up to the maximum rebate amount. If you have questions regarding this requirement, please email pfasrebateprogram@des.nh.gov or call Kathryn “KC” Moran at (603) 271-8539.

The intent of this program is to aid with the expense of initial installation and does not include funding for the operations and maintenance (O&M) of the treatment system or service connection. It is important to note that proper O&M of any treatment is essential for effective contaminant removal. The cost of O&M varies with each type of treatment and should be considered when determining which treatment system to install.

Your water likely contains other contaminants such as arsenic, uranium, radon, nitrate and bacteria that present health risks and that are naturally occurring or originate from nearby land uses. While it is important for all private well users to test for these contaminants and others using an accredited laboratory to ensure that the water treatment technology selected is effective at removing any contaminants that are present at elevated levels, the rebate program will only cover the eligible costs outlined above.

Replacement of existing treatment systems is not considered an eligible cost. The program will provide a rebate for new treatment systems installed at the time of eligible PFAS treatment to address the contaminants outlined above. 

NHDES is not performing post-treatment sampling at this time. You may either employ the company that installed your treatment to collect a sample or refer to this list of labs that can assist: Laboratory Testing Guidelines for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) for Private and Public Drinking Water Supplies.
 

Low-income is defined as 80% of the area median family income criteria that applies to the county or metropolitan statistical area where the property is located as calculated by HUD. An applicant whose total family annual income does not exceed the HUD low-income criteria, may request preapproval for a rebate for eligible costs to be distributed directly to a treatment installer or contractor. 

Only when the applicant has received pre-approval from NHDES will rebates for eligible costs be authorized directly to a treatment installer or contractor, relieving the applicant from paying these costs.

Pre-approvals will be issued in writing and will be valid for 90 days. A completed application must be submitted to the Program within 90 days of receiving a pre-approval to ensure funding will be available to provide a rebate directly to a treatment installer or contractor for eligible costs. Completed applications will be considered in the order in which they are received. If an applicant received pre-approval from NHDES and the rebate application is complete and meets the criteria for reimbursement, NHDES shall provide a rebate for eligible costs directly to the treatment installer or contractor.

To receive payment of a rebate, all applicants must register as a vendor with the State of New Hampshire Department of Administrative Services. This registration supplies you with a vendor number that must be included on the rebate application form. You can obtain a vendor number by visiting the Vendor Resource Center. Please follow this guidance on Utilizing the Online Vendor Registry.
 

If you have additional questions, please contact the PFAS Rebate Team at pfasrebateprogram@des.nh.gov or (603) 271-8539.