CONCORD, N.H. – The Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) is appealing a permit from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued to the City of Manchester that allows the continued discharge of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS into local waterbodies.
Used in a variety of products such as non-stick pans, waterproof clothing and firefighting foams, the various types of PFAS chemicals have become known as “forever chemicals” for their tendency to not break down easily. PFAS has also been found to cause increased rates of cancer, including a spike southern New Hampshire.
In the permit, which was issued on Nov. 3, 2025, discharge is allowed from the Manchester Wastewater Treatment Facility as well as the city’s 15 Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) outfalls. Earlier this year, the city voted to modify sewer rates needed to complete mandated EPA requirements to the Cemetery Brook CSO.
A total of 67 comments were made to the EPA ranging from those who opposed the discharge of any PFAS into water bodies to those who felt that the EPA overstepped its bounds requiring the City of Manchester to monitor PFAS amounts in sewage discharge.
In the appeal, CLF argue that the EPA permitting process did not adequately review numerous issues related to PFAS such as clear limits in PFAS testing under state water quality standards, protecting communities overburdened by PFAS pollution per federal guidelines, regulation of PFAS air emissions and impact of PFAS into local ecosystems.
“Everyone deserves safe, clean water – it’s that simple,” said CLF Associate Attorney Jillian Aicher. “By ignoring clear evidence that PFAS discharges threaten our waterways, our ecosystems, and our health, the EPA is failing in its most basic duty – to protect our communities and our natural resources. It’s essential that EPA step up and fulfill this duty by reducing toxic PFAS pollution.”
A copy of the permit can be found here. A copy of the appeal can be found here.