Advisories
Real-time alerts to public health concerns in the air, drinking water and surface water.
NHDES issues boil orders and do not drink orders for drinking water, Air Quality Action Days when air pollutants are at an unhealthy level for sensitive groups, and E. coli and cyanobacteria advisories for public beaches.
When fecal bacteria or cyanobacteria counts at designated public beaches are higher than the state standards, an advisory is issued to notify the public, approximately 24 hours after sampling. The beaches with an advisory (fecal bacteria) or a warning or watch (cyanobacteria) are noted on an online map.
Even though New Hampshire’s air meets all current federal standards, there are typically several days each year when the air is unhealthy to breathe for sensitive groups, such as people with respiratory disease, heart or lung disease, older adults and active children. On those days, NHDES issues Air Quality Action Days. NHDES provides current air quality information and forecasts daily.
Drinking water advisories may be issued after detection of E. coli bacteria, a nitrate or nitrite exceedance, a lapse in system integrity, failure of a treatment process, or suspicion of other water-borne pathogens.
Environmental Emergencies
Contact NHDES staff for emergency situations or more information on public health advisories.