[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6318069,"mediaKeyId","2368108-787cf9e73a9dbf52a72700a10cec19ad","parentId",2368108,"title","Merrimack Village District sees seasonal PFOA spikes; escrow for Saint‑Gobain treatment exhausted","audioSeconds",2137,"startMs",260000,"endMs",2397000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2368108-787cf9e73a9dbf52a72700a10cec19ad&start=260&end=2397","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2368108-787cf9e73a9dbf52a72700a10cec19ad/thumbnail_260000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6318069/New-Hampshire/Merrimack-Village-District-sees-seasonal-PFOA-spikes-escrow-for-SaintGobain-treatment-exhausted","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6318069-8954185afae7f6d80158c4eec34ec8bd/orig.mp4?Expires=1773583756&Signature=EZMURoIA34qGN7D7U2DLJJIHOoB6lvs1ZyGzWNDA~nU4sqRXVPqGBU4ZPFo5uoDD8V3nZKOixTE~7rPgoCARiJXTmuIXZ4uWdR2lj464ef6OFTyNjC9n5-KtNin7p5wSiyDEshGEDXFs067UDbh6kKRPP4CvlhXstVOjjP19KH4xNOHVLI0wswmi3eYQcXAbJWLd1KEpb1ebXPSYybvZ7EQ0-PENk08ToPLW~5hLBpKOxyEc0qS~a-8fYk0JpWlQD329XIXuCRxMXWecbgTnl4f1aeuVqTiwJSFmhbQwdhi5ohfiSMQFDTuE5KBA0-dYmttqLo-lN8pBJZRQxVYtdA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Environmental Service Department NH","date","2025-02-21T09:05:13.51Z","article","Don Provencher, chair of the Merrimack Village District water department, told the Legislative Study Commission on Feb. 14 that the district’s routine PFAS sampling shows recurring seasonal spikes in PFOA and an upward trend in wells nearest the former Saint‑Gobain facility.

“PFOA is really the only thing that is in violation of any groundwater standards in New Hampshire,” Provencher said, and he described repeated late‑summer into fall peaks across multiple production wells. He told commissioners that wells 4 and 5 — the two closest to the Saint‑Gobain site — have shown an upward trend since about 2023.

The pattern described by Provencher shows spikes at wells across Merrimack and nearby Hollis, often in late summer and into the fall. Provencher said one hypothesis is reduced groundwater recharge during drier periods can concentrate PFAS in the aquifer; he also noted uncertainty in early laboratory data and that some wells (well 3) were taken out of service because of high sodium and chloride.

Why it matters: recurring and, in some wells, rising PFOA concentrations affect the district’s treatment operations and operating costs. Merrimack Village District (MVD) uses granular activated carbon (GAC) for point‑of‑entry or point‑of‑treatment systems on impacted wells and monitors distribution system samples quarterly.

How MVD is operating its treatment: Provencher described a lead/lag vessel strategy. When the district replaces media in one vessel the previously replaced vessel becomes the lead vessel; the district monitors that lead vessel and replaces media after breakthrough but “no sooner than eight months.” Provencher said that approach balances budgetary limits against the district’s goal of achieving non‑detect levels in distribution water most of the time. He said distribution system sampling is nondetect about 90–95% of the time.

Funding and near‑term costs: Provencher said MVD entered a 2018 settlement with Saint‑Gobain under which the company built the treatment plant for wells 4 and 5 and provided an operations and maintenance (O&M) escrow to cover roughly five years of filter O&M. Provencher said the escrow summed to about $534,000 and was intended to cover approximately $107,000 per year; he told commissioners the escrow was exhausted in October 2024 and “the escrow lasted four years. It didn't quite get into the fifth year.”

Provencher said the district has budgeted O&M costs into the next fiscal year and does not currently plan a rate increase beyond a roughly 4% budget increase, but he cautioned continuing elevated concentrations could shorten media life and raise costs.

Supply and interconnects: Provencher described a wholesale interconnect that allows the district to buy treated water from a neighboring system. He said the interconnect permit allows up to 250,000 gallons per day on average and 500,000 gallons per day at peak; MVD has limited use of that supply to summer periods because low levels of PFAS have been detected in that source.

Other capital needs: Provencher said MVD expects to replace most customer meters over the next five years at an estimated total cost of about $2.3 million. He said meter replacements will also support a lead/copper inventory effort by allowing crews to inspect service connections during the work.

Community concerns and technical questions: Commissioners and technical panelists asked about soil sampling, aquifer dynamics and whether seasonal pumping or site activities (demolition, blasting) could mobilize PFAS. Several technical participants — including a hydrogeologist consulting on site conditions and commission members — said similar seasonal patterns have been observed at other contaminated sites and that soil sampling over time would be needed to determine how much PFAS mass remains in near‑surface soils.

What’s next: Provencher said media changeouts are expected on an approximate eight‑month cadence and estimated the next changeout for the wells in question would occur around June following the October 2024 replacement. He also said the district has found a responsive vendor to regenerate spent carbon, which reduces net media purchase costs though regeneration requires about 10–15% makeup media after kiln treatment.

Ending note: MVD officials told the commission they will continue monthly PFAS monitoring and adjust operational decisions as data warrant. The district described its current approach as a balance between maintaining non‑detect distribution water and avoiding unplanned, sharp rate increases for customers.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","February 2025: HB 737 Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Don Provencher, chair of the Merrimack Village District water department, told the Legislative Study Commission on Feb. 14 that the district’s routine PFAS sampling shows recurring seasonal spikes in PFOA and an upward trend in wells nearest the former Saint‑Gobain facility.","taxTitle","Environmental Service Department, State Government Agencies, Executive, New Hampshire","taxId",37496,"location","New Hampshire","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6318061,"DHHS and Dartmouth update commission on Merrimack cancer feasibility study and data analysis",1974,2802000,4776000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2368108-787cf9e73a9dbf52a72700a10cec19ad&start=2802&end=4776","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2368108-787cf9e73a9dbf52a72700a10cec19ad/thumbnail_2802000.jpg","/articles/6318061/New-Hampshire/DHHS-and-Dartmouth-update-commission-on-Merrimack-cancer-feasibility-study-and-data-analysis","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6318061-21b71071e1c98147249e76260aab2433/orig.mp4?Expires=1773583756&Signature=Pu-QP-9xlG1jKyYt-ESoNHypGWu4~to1MqOEqAkdlBebMPgWmJ5Ni7RxtXrlth7azivb4gDvQ-pOGpLCazPIDStIRTp6HX2eE7ZHQ1wc9DQLIJBv3s16PsSPGOzFviX-EBAwYa00Tg88faaFAVlPXii6GOzNQggod8GP20wTKYx80uvEhE1zltvqAHYqJIeqWMUxSO-Px7CspF1OgjCVurxwwC48MkZdaeHExhaCqtP7UlM3XpANA7desgel-Ah6vCkEWAD3v6X8nDkXhycQeEdRka5Nn3AklztafXgchASM0YGsGKk15q3a3~RBTtHGqnjCTXtJxrMkt3OGBV1EiQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Michelle Rovers, Bureau Chief for Public Health Protection at the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), updated the commission on Feb. 14 about the Dartmouth‑led Merrimack cancer investigation and the department’s parallel cancer data analysis work.

Rovers said the Dartmouth project has four components: community engagement studios (complete), cancer registry analysis, a UNH feasibility survey, and a pilot study. The Dartmouth team distributed a UNH survey to 8,500 members of the Granite State Panel in November 2024 with an oversample of Merrimack and eight surrounding towns; Dartmouth is finalizing edits to a report on that survey.

On cancer registry data, Rovers said DHHS supplied Dartmouth with additional VA‑sourced cancer cases (new kidney cancer cases from veterans) that DHHS expects to incorporate by mid‑to‑late February. Dartmouth’s analysis team (led by Dr. Salas) is harmonizing the additional VA cases through diagnosis year 2021 so the kidney analysis will be up to date and consistent with other analyses.

Pilot study and IRB: Rovers said Dartmouth will pursue IRB approval through Dartmouth College’s Committee for the Protection of Human Subjects and that the pilot study design and IRB materials remain under development. She said the pilot will be the main activity for the remainder of Dartmouth’s current contract, which expires in June 2025.

DHHS parallel analysis: DHHS is reanalyzing cancer incidence for other cancer types in Merrimack and the nine‑town study area using registry years through 2021, and will include the VA data in that analysis. Rovers told the commission the department expects analysis completion in a few months and will present findings when they are ready.

Funding concern: Commission member Maureen noted possible federal NIH funding cuts that could affect Dartmouth’s ability to secure a full study grant after the pilot phase; Dartmouth has begun informal discussions with alternative funders and foundations as a contingency.

What’s next: Rovers and DHHS expect Dartmouth to present an updated cancer registry analysis and pilot study protocol to the commission at a future meeting, pending the timing of the incorporated VA data and completion of the IRB process.","DHHS and Dartmouth teams reported progress on a multi‑part feasibility and pilot study of kidney cancer and other cancers in Merrimack: community engagement is complete, a UNH survey has been deployed, Dartmouth is finalizing pilot protocols and IRB plans, and VA cancer data are being incorporated into registry analyses.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6318066,"Saint‑Gobain begins phased demolition; DES says contaminated debris will be removed and some concrete scarified",1470,2546000,4016000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2368108-787cf9e73a9dbf52a72700a10cec19ad&start=2546&end=4016","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2368108-787cf9e73a9dbf52a72700a10cec19ad/thumbnail_2546000.jpg","/articles/6318066/New-Hampshire/SaintGobain-begins-phased-demolition-DES-says-contaminated-debris-will-be-removed-and-some-concrete-scarified","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6318066-093247a623cbbfa1e20b4c4e32ef767b/orig.mp4?Expires=1773583756&Signature=oJ9ZH23YPQ1MdJ3JKdPKotn3gEVSrnmBDjpntBRq~JEpriz3n~S0jTcsCTg1PkhoKrN0rXxYZnEUjwPwl3VhH1TFqNdhVrcJ17l4JM-57JWkL5iTySBtLnGxJMzvcNfVSzOI5iQmQvGYfD1VxEg2JcQKyb~j9aBTOrirpxtbNmVtbPPMX3CRRu0sLwCGxkANw9GSknwYkFnEEWAU~5YiipvDpQoMVpz5eTXGJArlIxOvSn-Wx--EMQrpzP71lugPKXomQgnb9ps6EDJHAsYjzpDsWbE-xyz0MDgyXAtK7ihCyrkl5DgRUBZMsJWUNmTKQqBLML6oWpGtZIcvlmHkkw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Andy (Department of Environmental Services, Air Resources and site oversight) updated the commission on Feb. 14 that Saint‑Gobain completed cessation of manufacturing in 2023 and began phased demolition in late 2024; state staff have been receiving periodic progress reports.

“Initial demolition pertained to the low‑bay portion of the building,” Andy said. He reported crews removed interior overhead gantry cranes and that the work planned for 2025 includes dismantling the high‑bay portion in sections. He said structural steel will be removed for scrap recycling, and portions of demolition debris that are “significantly impacted by PFAS contamination” will be shipped to out‑of‑state hazardous waste disposal facilities.

Concrete and scarification: DES staff described a site practice of scarifying concrete floor surfaces — mechanically removing a thin surface layer — to reduce surficial contamination prior to exterior demolition. Andy told the commission the contractor has been scarifying roughly an eighth to a half‑inch in affected areas and collecting the removed material for containerized disposal.

Sampling and remedial planning: DES said Saint‑Gobain hired Ramboll to support closure activities and has provided interim reports. The department reviewed a remedial action plan (RAP) and asked for additional detail; DES staff said a revised RAP addendum did not fully meet regulatory requirements and that Saint‑Gobain has proposed supplemental investigation work to fill data gaps. DES expects a work plan for supplemental investigation and further remedial alternatives in the coming months.

Point‑of‑entry treatment and alternate water: Andy said contractors (Second Wind Water Systems and Culligan) had installed about 690 point‑of‑entry treatment systems for affected residences through early 2025 and have been conducting periodic maintenance under a work plan. He said Saint‑Gobain continues to provide bottled water and temporary/permanent alternate water supplies inside the consent‑decree area as appropriate.

Municipal water extensions and residential sampling: DES reported construction of water main extensions in Litchfield, Bedford, Londonderry and Merrimack with service connections ongoing; in some areas final restoration is scheduled for spring 2025. On residential sampling, DES told the commission it identified 3,868 properties eligible for sampling, of which 2,578 well samples have been collected and 1,211 second samples recorded; 1,183 properties have been offered bottled water under the program as of Jan. 29, 2025.

Permits and air emissions: Andy said Saint‑Gobain submitted a request to terminate its air discharge permit; DES expects termination once reporting and fee obligations are satisfied. Andy said no ongoing stack testing is occurring because manufacturing ceased in 2023.

Community concerns and next steps: Commissioners and local participants asked whether Saint‑Gobain could sell the property after demolition and how concrete left in place may affect future groundwater. Andy said Saint‑Gobain would retain environmental liability even if the property is sold, and that DES is monitoring how the remaining foundation and scarified surfaces may affect site runoff and the conceptual site model. DES said it will continue frequent contact with the company, perform site visits, review remedial submittals and oversee residential well monitoring and alternate water programs.

What’s next: DES expects additional RAP information and a supplemental investigation work plan from Saint‑Gobain this year; the department noted it will review those submittals and adjust oversight accordingly.","State regulators reported that demolition of the former Saint‑Gobain facility is underway in 2025, with plans to remove above‑ground structures, recycle structural steel, dispose of PFAS‑impacted debris out of state, conduct concrete scarification in places and continue remedial planning and groundwater monitoring.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Merrimack Village District sees seasonal PFOA spikes; escrow for Saint‑Gobain treatment exhausted

DHHS and Dartmouth update commission on Merrimack cancer feasibility study and data analysis

Saint‑Gobain begins phased demolition; DES says contaminated debris will be removed and some concrete scarified