After years of living with contaminated drinking water, approximately 350 households in Londonderry, New Hampshire will finally gain access to clean public water through a major settlement agreement. The New Hampshire Attorney General's office announced that Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Corporation will contribute $1.71 million toward extending a water main along High Range Road, addressing PFAS contamination that originated from the company's former manufacturing facility .

What Caused the PFAS Contamination in Londonderry?

The contamination story stretches back decades. A company called Chemfab operated at the facility starting in 1986, using PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and other PFAS chemicals, also known as "forever chemicals," in fabric coating and cast-film equipment. Saint-Gobain purchased the facility in 2002 and continued manufacturing coated textiles using chemical dispersions containing PFOA and other PFAS. The manufacturing process involved dipping fabric into chemical mixtures and then drying it in tall ovens. Prior to 2021, exhaust from these ovens was released directly into the atmosphere through roof stacks .

PFOA was first detected in a tap water sample at the facility in 2016, but the contamination had likely been spreading for years before detection. The chemicals seeped into groundwater, affecting private wells across multiple towns including Bedford, Hudson, Litchfield, Londonderry, and Merrimack .

How Will the Water Main Extension Help Affected Residents?

The agreement requires Saint-Gobain to fund the installation of approximately 300 meters of water pipeline along High Range Road, extending from Royal Lane north to Alexander Road. This infrastructure project will allow the 350 properties on the west side of High Range Road to connect to a community water system operated by Pennichuck Water Works. The water main will also facilitate additional connections for homeowners on the east side of High Range Road if necessary .

The total project cost is approximately $4.3 million. While Saint-Gobain covers $1.71 million of this expense, the Town of Londonderry's portion will be funded through the New Hampshire Drinking Water and Groundwater Trust Fund, administered by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services .

"This agreement is another important step in our efforts to hold Saint-Gobain accountable and assist Londonderry residents affected by PFAS contamination," said Attorney General John Formella. "We remain steadfast in our efforts to protect access to clean water for all Granite Staters."

John Formella, Attorney General of New Hampshire

What Options Exist for Residents Not Connected to Public Water?

Not every affected household will be able to connect directly to the new public water main. For residents whose private well water contains PFAS concentrations above New Hampshire or EPA Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs), the state offers two financial assistance programs :

• Filtration System Rebate: Up to $5,000 reimbursement for installing a water treatment system specifically designed to remove PFAS from drinking water
• Public Water Connection Rebate: Up to $10,000 reimbursement for connecting to a public water system if a main is available nearby
• Point-of-Entry Treatment Systems: Saint-Gobain has also been implementing POET systems for properties within the 2018 Consent Decree Outer Boundary that cannot access municipal water

Residents who believe their well water may be contaminated are encouraged to apply for these rebate programs. However, as one state representative noted, navigating these programs can be complicated, and more work is needed to ensure all affected households understand their options .

What Happens Next with Saint-Gobain's Obligations?

While this water main extension addresses the largest outstanding need, Saint-Gobain's responsibilities continue. The company must continue monitoring groundwater in the area, and if any new contamination above state standards is discovered that can be traced to their facility, they are required to provide either a connection to a public water system or a treatment system for affected properties. Additionally, soil and groundwater remediation work is ongoing around the former facility and nearby properties .

Saint-Gobain demolished its Merrimack plant in July 2025, but the cleanup and accountability measures will extend well into the future. The company's 2018 consent decree with the state established a legal framework requiring these protections, and this latest agreement represents one significant milestone in that ongoing process .

How to Determine If Your Well Water Needs Testing

If you live in one of the affected towns and rely on a private well, here are the steps to take to protect your family's water safety:

• Check Your Location: Determine whether your property falls within the 2018 Consent Decree Outer Boundary area covering portions of Bedford, Hudson, Litchfield, Londonderry, and Merrimack
• Get Your Water Tested: Contact the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services to arrange testing for PFOA and other PFAS chemicals in your well water
• Review Your Results: Compare your test results to EPA and New Hampshire Maximum Contaminant Levels to determine if your water exceeds safe limits
• Apply for Assistance: If contamination is found, apply for either the filtration system rebate or public water connection rebate through the state program
• Stay Informed: Monitor updates from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services PFAS website for new developments and additional resources

This settlement represents a hard-won victory for Londonderry residents who have advocated for accountability and clean water access. However, as state officials acknowledge, PFAS contamination remains a statewide challenge in New Hampshire and across the country, demanding sustained leadership and long-term investment in water infrastructure and protection .