Officials warn Henniker residents on Wednesday that their water may contain elevated levels of lead.
Cogswell Spring Water Works said in a statement that it found that 10% of the results from a Sept. 18 sample had higher than accepted levels of lead, at 18 parts per billion. The Environmental Protection Agency sets the threshold at 15 parts per billion.
The company advised residents to avoid using hot water as lead dissolves more easily at higher temperatures. Boiling water does not remove lead either. The utility also urged people to run the tap for at least one minute after long periods of non-use to flush away any lead.
It is unclear how many Henniker residents are affected.
Cogswell Spring Water Works is working with the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services to resolve the issue. It is projected to be corrected by December.
Neither the utility nor the department could be reached for comment.
Materials in the water pipes that contain lead can wear away and cause the chemical to enter the water. Exposure to lead can create a host of health problems, such as heart disease and nervous system problems in adults and cognitive and behavioral issues in young children.