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WaterSafeCheck
Official EPA SDWIS Verified ReportWater Quality & Testing GuideStatus: Normal Operations

ZIP Code 03224 Water Quality & Testing Report

Canterbury, NH · Merrimack County County · Updated for 2026

Quick EPA Verified Answer

Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in ZIP 03224 (Canterbury, NH)?

Yes, tap water in ZIP code 03224 (Canterbury, NH) is safe to drink under EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards. Supplied by Canterbury Spruces Housing, the area earns an EPA Safety Grade of B (72/100) with 0 health violations, 0 ppb lead, and moderately hard (92 mg/L / 5.4 GPG) water.

Safety Score
B

Water Safety Grade

Good — Minor issues on record

Health Violations

0

Total Violations

0

Lead Risk

High

Contaminants

0

About Tap Water in ZIP Code 03224

Tap water in ZIP code 03224 (Canterbury, NH) is distributed by Canterbury Spruces Housing (EPA ID: NH0374010), serving approximately 25 residents. Based on EPA Safe Drinking Water Act compliance records, this system receives a water safety grade of B with a composite quality score of 72/100.

Water System

Canterbury Spruces Housing

EPA ID: NH0374010

Water Source

Ground Water

Population Served

25 residents

County

Merrimack County County, New Hampshire

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Lead Levels in ZIP 03224

EPA action level: 15 ppb | Public health goal: 0 ppb

Lead Data Not Available

Lead testing data was not found in EPA records for ZIP code 03224. Contact Canterbury Spruces Housing to request lead testing results.

Lead exposure risk in 03224 is rated High. EPA models estimate a 49% exposure probability based on housing and infrastructure age.

Lead Exposure Risk Rating
High
Lead Exposure Probability

EPA model estimate based on housing age and infrastructure

49%
Note: Lead levels above are the 90th percentile from EPA monitoring — meaning 90% of samples were at or below this level. Even "undetected" tap water lead doesn't account for lead leaching from home plumbing. If your home was built before 1986, individual tap testing is recommended.
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Water Hardness & Mineral Content

Grains per gallon (GPG) & Parts per million (PPM / mg/L)

Classification: Moderately Hard5.4 GPG · 92 mg/L

Water in ZIP 03224 is Moderately Hard (92 mg/L / 5.4 GPG). It contains beneficial natural minerals like calcium and magnesium without causing heavy scale accumulation.

Recommendation: A water softener is optional. Regular maintenance of hot water appliances is recommended.
Hardness (GPG)

Grains per gallon

5.4 GPG
Hardness (PPM / mg/L)

Parts per million CaCO3

92 mg/L
Appliance Scaling Risk
Low / Moderate

Official EPA SDWIS Database Entry

Utility: Canterbury Spruces Housing · PWSID: NH0374010

Verify on EPA.gov
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Violation History

Past 5 years — EPA SDWIS data

Canterbury Spruces Housing has recorded zero violations in the EPA compliance database over the past 5 years.

Total Violations (5 yr)
0
Health-Based Violations
0
Unresolved Violations
0
Boil Water Advisories
0
Compliance Risk
Low

Regulatory compliance risk for this utility is rated Low based on past reporting and enforcement records.

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Contaminants Detected

Contaminants with health-based violations on record

No health-based contaminant violations are on record for ZIP code 03224 under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

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Water Source & Environmental Factors

Ground Water

This system draws water from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through soil and rock, but can still contain naturally occurring minerals like arsenic, radium, or nitrates.

Water Source Type
Ground Water
EPA Radon Zone

Moderate potential

Zone 2
Energy Burden

% of household income spent on energy — indicator of older infrastructure

2.35%

EPA Radon Zone 2 — moderate radon potential. The EPA recommends testing your home regardless of zone designation.

Water Quality Testing in ZIP 03224

Tap Water & Well Testing Recommendations

Residents in ZIP code 03224 served by Canterbury Spruces Housing can test tap water or private well systems to verify water purity. Testing detects hidden contaminants before they impact family health.

Tap Water Testing Steps

  • 1.Conduct a certified lead check if your home was constructed before 1986.
  • 2.Use certified lab testing kits rather than uncalibrated test strips for regulated compliance.
  • 3.Sample water from both your kitchen faucet and water heater to compare line purity.

Private Well Testing Steps

  • •Test for Coliform bacteria and Nitrates annually.
  • •Test for heavy metals, radon, and PFAS every 3 years.
  • •Send samples to a state-certified drinking water laboratory recognized by New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services.
Certified Lab Testing: Always use an EPA-certified drinking water laboratory in NH for formal legal or real estate compliance testing.

🛡 What Should You Do? — ZIP 03224 Recommendations

  • ✓ Run cold water for 30 seconds each morning before use — especially if pipes are old
  • ✓ Request your annual Consumer Confidence Report from Canterbury Spruces Housing
  • ✓ If your home was built before 1986, consider testing your own tap for lead
  • ✓ Use a pitcher filter (NSF/ANSI 42 certified) for improved taste

Recommended Taste & Safety Filter:

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NSF/ANSI 53 Certified Pitcher Filter

Best for removing aesthetic chlorine, odors, and low-level heavy metals.

Filter Selection Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions — ZIP 03224 Water Quality

Is tap water safe to drink in ZIP code 03224?+
Yes — tap water in 03224 (Canterbury, NH) meets EPA standards with a water safety grade of B. No health-based violations are on record in the past 5 years.
How do I get my water tested in ZIP 03224 (Canterbury, NH)?+
To test water quality in ZIP 03224, you can order a certified drinking water test kit or send water samples to an EPA/NELAP certified laboratory in NH. Certified testing checks for lead, coliform bacteria, nitrates, hardness, and PFAS that standard test strips miss. Contact New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services for a list of certified regional labs.
How hard is the tap water in 03224?+
Tap water in 03224 is classified as Moderately Hard with an estimated mineral hardness of 92 mg/L (5.4 GPG). A water softener is optional. Regular maintenance of hot water appliances is recommended.
Should I test private well water in 03224?+
Yes. Unlike municipal systems, private wells in 03224 are not regulated by the EPA or local utilities. Private well owners should test their water annually for coliform bacteria and nitrates, and every 3 to 5 years for heavy metals (lead, arsenic) and volatile organic compounds.
What is the lead level in 03224 tap water?+
Lead level data is not available in EPA records for 03224. Contact your utility for details.
Is there an active boil water notice in 03224?+
There are currently no active boil water advisories on record for 03224. Water treatment systems are operating within normal parameters.
Who provides tap water to 03224?+
Tap water in ZIP code 03224 is provided by Canterbury Spruces Housing (EPA ID: NH0374010), serving approximately 25 residents.
What water filter should I use in 03224?+
Based on water metrics for 03224, we recommend Lead & Microplastic Filter. Look for certifications such as NSF/ANSI 53 (Lead Reduction), NSF/ANSI 42 (Particulate/Taste).

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for ZIP code 03224 is compiled from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), EPA ECHO enforcement database, UCMR5 unregulated contaminant monitoring, and Consumer Confidence Reports filed by Canterbury Spruces Housing. Safety scores are composite metrics derived from violation history, lead levels, enforcement actions, and infrastructure risk indicators. Data reflects a 5-year monitoring window. Last dataset update: 2024. View EPA source data →