Merrimack Lawmakers Push State to Reduce Road Salt Use, Citing Drinking Water Threat
By Granite State Report
Concord, N.H. — September 19, 2025
The fight to protect Merrimack’s drinking water has reached a critical juncture — and local lawmakers say state bureaucracy is standing in the way.
On Tuesday, a bipartisan group of legislators urged the New Hampshire Department of Transportation (DOT) to immediately designate portions of Continental Boulevard and Industrial Drive as “reduced-salt areas.” The request comes amid rising levels of sodium chloride in the Natickook Brook aquifer, which supplies nearly half of the town’s drinking water through the Merrimack Village District (MVD).
“We’re talking about the safety of our drinking water — the very water our children and families rely on,” said Rep. Nancy Murphy (Hillsborough 12). “This is a public health issue, not a debate over procedure.”
A Growing Contamination Problem
For years, the use of road salt in winter has been quietly seeping into Merrimack’s groundwater. According to local officials, chloride levels in two municipal wells have climbed so high that one well was forced to close, and a costly new one had to be drilled.
The contamination “hot spot” has been traced to the busy intersection of Industrial Drive and Continental Boulevard — both state-controlled roads. While Merrimack has already reduced salt use on locally managed roads, it cannot extend those measures to state roads without DOT approval.
“We’ve done everything in our power at the town level,” said Sen. Tim McGough (District 11). “The science is clear, the threat is clear, and local leaders — from police and fire to public works — all agree reduced salt use won’t compromise safety. What we need now is action from the state.”
Bureaucracy Versus Public Health
The delay, lawmakers argue, stems from a procedural requirement that all governing bodies in Merrimack must sign off before DOT will act. That includes the Merrimack School Board (MSD) — which has no direct authority over road maintenance.
While the School Board has expressed support for salt reduction on environmental and health grounds, members maintain their purview is education, not infrastructure.
“This is where bureaucracy gets in the way of common sense,” said Rep. William Boyd (Hillsborough 12). “We have letters of support from every relevant department — fire, police, public works, town council, even the water district. Requiring the school board to weigh in is an unnecessary hurdle.”
Broader Stakes
Chloride contamination is not unique to Merrimack. Across New England, decades of heavy salt use have polluted groundwater and damaged ecosystems. Unlike many pollutants, chloride does not naturally break down, meaning levels can build up over time and persist for generations.
Excess sodium in drinking water also poses risks for people with hypertension and heart conditions, while salt runoff degrades soils, kills roadside vegetation, and harms aquatic life.
“Merrimack is a cautionary tale for the rest of New Hampshire,” said Rep. Rosemarie Rung (Hillsborough 12). “If we don’t adapt our practices now, more towns will be facing the same expensive and dangerous consequences.”
Call for Change
In their September 16 letter to DOT Commissioner William J. Cass, Merrimack’s legislative delegation asked the agency to drop the School Board requirement and expedite approval of the reduced-salt designation.
They framed the issue as urgent, noting that the aquifer supplies both public and private wells, leaving thousands of residents vulnerable.
“Protecting safe drinking water should never get lost in red tape,” said Rep. Wendy Thomas (Hillsborough 12). “The sooner DOT acts, the sooner we can stop the damage from getting worse.”
The Road Ahead
As winter approaches, lawmakers are pressing for a decision before salt trucks roll out again. Advocates say a delay of even one more season could deepen the contamination and put more strain on the town’s water supply.
“This is about safeguarding Merrimack’s future,” said Rep. Jeanine Notter (Hillsborough 12). “We owe it to our constituents to make sure their water is clean, safe, and protected.”
For now, the next move rests with the DOT — and with it, the health of one of southern New Hampshire’s most vital water sources.
