The logo of French construction materials giant Saint- Gobain SA is pictured at the La Defense business district outside Paris, Thursday, Jan. 11, 2016(AP Photo/Michel Euler)
The logo of French construction materials giant Saint- Gobain SA is pictured at the La Defense business district outside Paris, Thursday, Jan. 11, 2016(AP Photo/Michel Euler) Credit: Michel Euler

LITCHFIELD52 private wells show elevated levels of PFOA

The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services says at least 52 private wells, most of them in Litchfield, are showing elevated levels of the chemical PFOA.

The levels are at or above 100 parts per trillion. The three highest, ranging from 1,000 to 1,600 parts per trillion, are nearest to the Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics plant in Merrimack. The company approached the state after it found the PFOA in its water system in March. Thirty-three of the wells have levels between 100 and 200 parts per trillion.

The 52 wells are among 195 samples received by the department. It has collected a total of over 350 well samples.

Bottled water has been provided to 400 properties in Merrimack, Manchester and Litchfield affected by the contamination.

Associated Press