USGS scientists sampling groundwater near the top of the water table in a corn field in Concord, New Hampshire.
Joseph Ayotte
Joe Ayotte is a Supervisory Hydrologist in the New England Water Science Center
As the Chief of the Environmental Hydrology Section, Joe oversees multidisciplinary studies involving groundwater quality at the USGS New England Water Science Center. Most recently, he has worked on national and regional studies of trace elements (primarily arsenic) in groundwater and has worked closely with the National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on arsenic in drinking water supplies. He joined the USGS in 1987 and has been involved in many studies of groundwater and surface water resources in New England and the U.S.
Professional Experience
Supervisory Hydrologist, U.S. Geological Survey, New England Water Science Center, 2011 to Present
Education and Certifications
B.S. Hydrology, University of New Hampshire
Affiliations and Memberships*
Licensed Professional Geologist, State of New Hampshire, Lic. 0071
Science and Products
Investigating Associations Between Socioeconomic Data and Populations Vulnerable to Private Well-Water Concerns in New Hampshire
USGS Assessment of Water Resources near Hanscom Air Force Base
Coproduced Science Linking Environmental and Public-Health Data to Evaluate Drinking Water Arsenic Exposure on Birth Outcomes
Research on Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in the New England Water Science Center
Hydrologic Interpretive Program
Arsenic Variability in Water-Supply Wells
The Purge Analyzer Tool (PAT) to Assess Optimal Pumping Parameters in the Collection of Representative Groundwater Samples from Wells
Assessment of Hydrologic and Water-Quality Changes in Shallow Groundwater Beneath a Coastal Neighborhood Being Converted from Septic Systems to Municipal Sewers
Preliminary Research into the Causes of Iron Fouling in Water at Roadway Construction Sites
Study to Test a Novel Shallow Well Design that May Provide Contaminant-Free Water Supply to Domestic Well Users in Arsenic-Prone Parts of the United States
Towards Understanding the Impact of Drought on the Arsenic Hazard for the Private Domestic Well Population in the United States
Linking environmental and public health data to evaluate health effects of arsenic exposure from domestic and public supply wells
Arsenic concentration results utilizing a novel field integrated biosensor system, New Hampshire, 2019
Statewide survey of shallow soil concentrations of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and related chemical and physical data across New Hampshire, 2021
Data for Time Scales of Arsenic Variability and the Role of High-Frequency Monitoring at Three Water-Supply Wells in New Hampshire, USA
Datasets from Groundwater-Quality Data from the National Water-Quality Assessment Project, January through December 2014 and Select Quality-Control Data from May 2012 through December 2014
Testing dataset for independent analysis of New Hampshire arsenic model
Estimated county level domestic well population with arsenic greater than 10 micrograms per liter based on probability estimates for the conterminous U.S.
USGS scientists sampling groundwater near the top of the water table in a corn field in Concord, New Hampshire.
Collection of pre-treatment water samples for the USGS and New Hampshire Health and Human Services EMPoWER-U project (Evaluating Metals in Private Wells and people for Exposure Reduction – Uranium). This project evaluates uranium in private wells and couples that information with human exposure biomarkers.
Collection of pre-treatment water samples for the USGS and New Hampshire Health and Human Services EMPoWER-U project (Evaluating Metals in Private Wells and people for Exposure Reduction – Uranium). This project evaluates uranium in private wells and couples that information with human exposure biomarkers.
Collection of tap water samples for the USGS and New Hampshire Health and Human Services EMPoWER-U project (Evaluating Metals in Private Wells and people for Exposure Reduction – Uranium). This project evaluates uranium in private wells and couples that information with human exposure biomarkers.
Collection of tap water samples for the USGS and New Hampshire Health and Human Services EMPoWER-U project (Evaluating Metals in Private Wells and people for Exposure Reduction – Uranium). This project evaluates uranium in private wells and couples that information with human exposure biomarkers.
Hydrologist collecting soil samples for PFAS analysis, Brentwood, New Hampshire.
Hydrologist collecting soil samples for PFAS analysis, Brentwood, New Hampshire.
A horizontal collector is a part of a novel shallow well design that might be able to provide safe drinking water to domestic well users in arsenic-prone parts of the Nation.
A horizontal collector is a part of a novel shallow well design that might be able to provide safe drinking water to domestic well users in arsenic-prone parts of the Nation.
A novel shallow well design might be able to provide safe drinking water to domestic well users in arsenic-prone parts of the Nation. Casing and collector being lowered into well excavation during the test.
A novel shallow well design might be able to provide safe drinking water to domestic well users in arsenic-prone parts of the Nation. Casing and collector being lowered into well excavation during the test.
Completing a novel dug well installation. A study of a novel shallow well design that might be able to provide safe drinking water to domestic well users in arsenic-prone parts of the Nation.
Completing a novel dug well installation. A study of a novel shallow well design that might be able to provide safe drinking water to domestic well users in arsenic-prone parts of the Nation.
Dug well with instrumentation on a testing site of the novel shallow well design that might be able to provide safe drinking water to domestic well users in arsenic-prone parts of the Nation.
Dug well with instrumentation on a testing site of the novel shallow well design that might be able to provide safe drinking water to domestic well users in arsenic-prone parts of the Nation.
Groundwater well serving private residence in Loudon, New Hampshire.
Groundwater well serving private residence in Loudon, New Hampshire.
Photograph showing a bedrock outcrop near the intersection of Post Road and Daniel Webster Highway (New Hampshire State Route 3) in Hooksett, New Hampshire. During the summer, groundwater stains the exposed bedrock with precipitated iron oxides.
Photograph showing a bedrock outcrop near the intersection of Post Road and Daniel Webster Highway (New Hampshire State Route 3) in Hooksett, New Hampshire. During the summer, groundwater stains the exposed bedrock with precipitated iron oxides.
Prioritizing water availability study settings to address geogenic contaminants and related societal factors
A brief note on substantial sub-daily arsenic variability in pumping drinking-water wells in New Hampshire
Estimating lithium concentrations in groundwater used as drinking water for the conterminous United States
Cross-sectional associations between drinking water arsenic and urinary inorganic arsenic in the US: NHANES 2003-2014
Predicted uranium and radon concentrations in New Hampshire (USA) groundwater—Using Multi Order Hydrologic Position as predictors
Arsenic in private well water and birth outcomes in the United States
Associations between private well water and community water supply arsenic concentrations in the conterminous United States
Machine learning models of arsenic in private wells throughout the conterminous United States as a tool for exposure assessment in human health studies
Assessing the impact of drought on arsenic exposure from private domestic wells in the conterminous United States
Time scales of arsenic variability and the role of high-frequency monitoring at three water-supply wells in New Hampshire, USA
Arsenic concentrations after drinking water well installation: Time-varying effects on arsenic mobilization
Performance assessments of a novel well design for reducing exposure to bedrock‐derived arsenic
Science and Products
- Science
Filter Total Items: 15
Investigating Associations Between Socioeconomic Data and Populations Vulnerable to Private Well-Water Concerns in New Hampshire
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) New England Water Science Center, in cooperation with the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, is investigating the presence of statistical associations between socioeconomic data (or proxy data) and the susceptibility of private wells to water quality or quantity concerns in New Hampshire.USGS Assessment of Water Resources near Hanscom Air Force Base
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) New England Water Science Center is expanding its scientific investigation to better understand the water resources at, and in the vicinity of, Hanscom Air Force Base (AFB) and the potential impacts from historical base operations and other sources.Coproduced Science Linking Environmental and Public-Health Data to Evaluate Drinking Water Arsenic Exposure on Birth Outcomes
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists teamed up with public-health epidemiologists to probe for associations between arsenic in drinking water and human-birth outcomes. They reported a modest inverse relation between birth weight and arsenic exposure. Findings indicate that future research efforts using individual-level exposure data such as measured arsenic concentrations in tap water could...Research on Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in the New England Water Science Center
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a diverse group of over 4,000 different compounds. Since the 1940s, PFAS have been manufactured and used around the globe, including in the United States. PFAS are resistant to chemical and thermal breakdown and impart stain and water-resistance properties, making them useful for a variety of commercial applications, but also persistent in the...Hydrologic Interpretive Program
The mission of the Hydrologic Interpretive Program is to work with stakeholders to design, carry out, and publish scientific studies addressing critical water-resources issues facing New England and the Nation.Arsenic Variability in Water-Supply Wells
The USGS, in cooperation with the Town of Seabrook, New Hampshire and a private well owner, is assessing the variability of arsenic over multiple time scales. A network of three wells is being used to monitor changes in arsenic, arsenic species, a host of other chemical constituents, and the distribution of ages of groundwater entering the wells. The wells—one domestic bedrock aquifer well, one...The Purge Analyzer Tool (PAT) to Assess Optimal Pumping Parameters in the Collection of Representative Groundwater Samples from Wells
The U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is developing analytical models to assess in-well groundwater flow conditions during the collection of groundwater samples from wells being pumped. This information can be used to inform groundwater samplers on when and how to collect samples that are most reflective of the targeted aquifer or hydrogeologiic...Assessment of Hydrologic and Water-Quality Changes in Shallow Groundwater Beneath a Coastal Neighborhood Being Converted from Septic Systems to Municipal Sewers
The U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are collaborating on a study to better understand changes to groundwater quality beneath a densely developed coastal neighborhood as it undergoes conversion from onsite wastewater disposal to municipal sewering.Preliminary Research into the Causes of Iron Fouling in Water at Roadway Construction Sites
The USGS and the New Hampshire Department of Transportation are conducting preliminary research into the causes of iron fouling in water at roadway construction sites where blasted bedrock is used as on-site fill material.Study to Test a Novel Shallow Well Design that May Provide Contaminant-Free Water Supply to Domestic Well Users in Arsenic-Prone Parts of the United States
The USGS, the University of New Hampshire, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, and the Maine Geological Survey are collaborating on a study of a novel shallow well design that might be able to provide safe drinking water to domestic well users in arsenic-prone parts of the Nation.Towards Understanding the Impact of Drought on the Arsenic Hazard for the Private Domestic Well Population in the United States
The USGS and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are examining the potential effects of droughts on the arsenic hazard in private well water across the Nation.Linking environmental and public health data to evaluate health effects of arsenic exposure from domestic and public supply wells
Everyone needs clean drinking water in order to thrive. The US EPA and public water purveyors in the US work together in adherence with the Safe Drinking Water Act to make water safe for public consumption. The recent media coverage of lead in public drinking water supplies in Flint, Michigan, and schools in many cities with aging infrastructure throughout the US has raised public awareness of dri - Data
Arsenic concentration results utilizing a novel field integrated biosensor system, New Hampshire, 2019
This dataset reports total arsenic (AsTot) results analyzed using an in-field biosensor system, Field-Ready Electrochemical Detector for Arsenic (FRED-Arsenic), developed by FREDsense Technologies Corp., Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Samples were collected from two public-supply wells (NH-SGW 93 and NH-SGW 65) and one private well (NH-KFW 87). NH-SGW 93 and NH-KFW 87 both withdraw water from a crystalStatewide survey of shallow soil concentrations of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and related chemical and physical data across New Hampshire, 2021
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and related chemical and physical data are presented from 100 shallow soil sampling locations within the State of New Hampshire. Sites were randomly determined through an equal-area grid approach (Scott, 1990) targeting undisturbed areas, which included lands classified by the 2016 National Land Cover Database (Dewitz, 2019) as forested, shrubland, scrublData for Time Scales of Arsenic Variability and the Role of High-Frequency Monitoring at Three Water-Supply Wells in New Hampshire, USA
This data release consists of data (in four tables) for assessing the time scales of arsenic variability in three production wells in New Hampshire; tables that describe the data fields in the data tables are also included in the data release. High-frequency (every 5 to 15 minutes) and bi-monthly water-quality monitoring of a bedrock-aquifer domestic well (425651070573701), a bedrock-aquifer publiDatasets from Groundwater-Quality Data from the National Water-Quality Assessment Project, January through December 2014 and Select Quality-Control Data from May 2012 through December 2014
Groundwater-quality data were collected from 559 wells as part of the National Water-Quality Assessment Project of the U.S. Geological Survey National Water-Quality Program from January through December 2014. The data were collected from four types of well networks: principal aquifer study networks, which assess the quality of groundwater used for public water supply; land-use study networks, whicTesting dataset for independent analysis of New Hampshire arsenic model
Existing multivariate logistic regression models that predict the probabilities of arsenic concentrations at 1, 5, and 10 micrograms per liter in bedrock aquifers of New Hampshire were tested using bedrock wells not included in the model development. This data release contains a table of measured arsenic concentrations and associated model input variables for the model testing dataset. LocationEstimated county level domestic well population with arsenic greater than 10 micrograms per liter based on probability estimates for the conterminous U.S.
Arsenic concentrations from 20,450 domestic wells in the U.S. were used to develop a logistic regression model of the probability of having arsenic > 10 g/L (high arsenic). We use only domestic well arsenic data and a national-scale modeling approach. This approach expands our understanding of potential exposure to arsenic in drinking water to a national scale and allows inter-regional comparisons - Multimedia
Groundwater sampling for PFAS
USGS scientists sampling groundwater near the top of the water table in a corn field in Concord, New Hampshire.
USGS scientists sampling groundwater near the top of the water table in a corn field in Concord, New Hampshire.
Collecting a pre-treatment water sampleCollection of pre-treatment water samples for the USGS and New Hampshire Health and Human Services EMPoWER-U project (Evaluating Metals in Private Wells and people for Exposure Reduction – Uranium). This project evaluates uranium in private wells and couples that information with human exposure biomarkers.
Collection of pre-treatment water samples for the USGS and New Hampshire Health and Human Services EMPoWER-U project (Evaluating Metals in Private Wells and people for Exposure Reduction – Uranium). This project evaluates uranium in private wells and couples that information with human exposure biomarkers.
Collecting a tap water sampleCollection of tap water samples for the USGS and New Hampshire Health and Human Services EMPoWER-U project (Evaluating Metals in Private Wells and people for Exposure Reduction – Uranium). This project evaluates uranium in private wells and couples that information with human exposure biomarkers.
Collection of tap water samples for the USGS and New Hampshire Health and Human Services EMPoWER-U project (Evaluating Metals in Private Wells and people for Exposure Reduction – Uranium). This project evaluates uranium in private wells and couples that information with human exposure biomarkers.
Collecting soil samplesHydrologist collecting soil samples for PFAS analysis, Brentwood, New Hampshire.
Hydrologist collecting soil samples for PFAS analysis, Brentwood, New Hampshire.
Slotted collector pipe for shallow dug wellA horizontal collector is a part of a novel shallow well design that might be able to provide safe drinking water to domestic well users in arsenic-prone parts of the Nation.
A horizontal collector is a part of a novel shallow well design that might be able to provide safe drinking water to domestic well users in arsenic-prone parts of the Nation.
Novel dug well installationA novel shallow well design might be able to provide safe drinking water to domestic well users in arsenic-prone parts of the Nation. Casing and collector being lowered into well excavation during the test.
A novel shallow well design might be able to provide safe drinking water to domestic well users in arsenic-prone parts of the Nation. Casing and collector being lowered into well excavation during the test.
Completing a novel dug well installationCompleting a novel dug well installation. A study of a novel shallow well design that might be able to provide safe drinking water to domestic well users in arsenic-prone parts of the Nation.
Completing a novel dug well installation. A study of a novel shallow well design that might be able to provide safe drinking water to domestic well users in arsenic-prone parts of the Nation.
Installed dug well at Maple Syrup farmDug well with instrumentation on a testing site of the novel shallow well design that might be able to provide safe drinking water to domestic well users in arsenic-prone parts of the Nation.
Dug well with instrumentation on a testing site of the novel shallow well design that might be able to provide safe drinking water to domestic well users in arsenic-prone parts of the Nation.
Private domestic well in Loudon, New HampshireGroundwater well serving private residence in Loudon, New Hampshire.
Groundwater well serving private residence in Loudon, New Hampshire.
Bedrock outcrop in New HampshirePhotograph showing a bedrock outcrop near the intersection of Post Road and Daniel Webster Highway (New Hampshire State Route 3) in Hooksett, New Hampshire. During the summer, groundwater stains the exposed bedrock with precipitated iron oxides.
Photograph showing a bedrock outcrop near the intersection of Post Road and Daniel Webster Highway (New Hampshire State Route 3) in Hooksett, New Hampshire. During the summer, groundwater stains the exposed bedrock with precipitated iron oxides.
- Publications
Filter Total Items: 22
Prioritizing water availability study settings to address geogenic contaminants and related societal factors
Water availability for human and ecological uses depends on both water quantity and water quality. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is developing strategies for prioritizing regional-scale and watershed basin-scale studies of water availability across the nation. Previous USGS ranking processes for basin-scale studies incorporated primarily water quantity factors but are now considering additionaAuthorsMelinda L. Erickson, Craig J. Brown, Elizabeth J. Tomaszewski, Joseph D. Ayotte, Sharon L. Qi, Douglas B. Kent, John K. BöhlkeA brief note on substantial sub-daily arsenic variability in pumping drinking-water wells in New Hampshire
Large variations in redox-related water parameters, like pH and dissolved oxygen (DO), have been documented in New Hampshire (United States) drinking-water wells over the course of a few hours under pumping conditions. These findings suggest that comparable sub-daily variability in dissolved concentrations of redox-reactive and toxic arsenic (As) also may occur, representing a potentially criticalAuthorsPaul M. Bradley, Emily C. Hicks, Joseph P. Levitt, David C. Lloyd, Mhairi M. McDonald, Kristin M. Romanok, Kelly Smalling, Joseph D. AyotteEstimating lithium concentrations in groundwater used as drinking water for the conterminous United States
Lithium (Li) concentrations in drinking-water supplies are not regulated in the United States; however, Li is included in the 2022 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency list of unregulated contaminants for monitoring by public water systems. Li is used pharmaceutically to treat bipolar disorder, and studies have linked its occurrence in drinking water to human-health outcomes. An extreme gradient bAuthorsMelissa Lombard, Eric E. Brown, Daniel Saftner, Monica M. Arienzo, Esme Fuller-Thomson, Craig J. Brown, Joseph D. AyotteCross-sectional associations between drinking water arsenic and urinary inorganic arsenic in the US: NHANES 2003-2014
Background: Inorganic arsenic is a potent carcinogen and toxicant associated with numerous adverse health outcomes. The contribution of drinking water from private wells and regulated community water systems (CWSs) to total inorganic arsenic exposure is not clear. Objectives: To determine the association between drinking water arsenic estimates and urinary arsenic concentrations in the 2003-2014AuthorsMaya Spaur, Melissa Lombard, Joseph D. Ayotte, Benjamin C. Bostick, Steven N. Chillrud, Ana Navas-Acien, Anne E. NigraPredicted uranium and radon concentrations in New Hampshire (USA) groundwater—Using Multi Order Hydrologic Position as predictors
Two radioactive elements, uranium (U) and radon (Rn), which are of potential concern in New Hampshire (NH) groundwater, are investigated. Exceedance probability maps are tools to highlight locations where the concentrations of undesirable substances in the groundwater may be elevated. Two forms of statistical analysis are used to create exceedance probability maps for U and Rn in NH groundwater. TAuthorsRichard B. Moore, Kenneth Belitz, Joseph D. Ayotte, Terri L. Arnold, Laura Hayes, Jennifer B. Sharpe, J. Jeffrey StarnArsenic in private well water and birth outcomes in the United States
BackgroundPrenatal exposure to drinking water with arsenic concentrations >50 μg/L is associated with adverse birth outcomes, with inconclusive evidence for concentrations ≤50 μg/L. In a collaborative effort by public health experts, hydrologists, and geologists, we used published machine learning model estimates to characterize arsenic concentrations in private wells—federally unregulated for driAuthorsCatherine Bulka, Molly Scannell Bryan, Melissa Lombard, Scott Bartell, Daniel Jones, Paul M. Bradley, Veronica Vieira, Debra Silverman, Michael J. Focazio, Patricia Toccalino, Johnni Daniel, Lorraine C. Backer, Joseph D. Ayotte, Matthew O. Gribble, Maria ArgosAssociations between private well water and community water supply arsenic concentrations in the conterminous United States
Geogenic arsenic contamination typically occurs in groundwater as opposed to surface water supplies. Groundwater is a major source for many community water systems (CWSs) in the United States (US). Although the US Environmental Protection Agency sets the maximum contaminant level (MCL enforceable since 2006: 10 μg/L) for arsenic in CWSs, private wells are not federally regulated. We evaluated counAuthorsMaya Spaur, Melissa Lombard, Joseph D. Ayotte, David Harvey, Benjamin Bostick, Steven Chillrud, Ana Navas-Acien, Anne E NigraMachine learning models of arsenic in private wells throughout the conterminous United States as a tool for exposure assessment in human health studies
Arsenic from geologic sources is widespread in groundwater within the United States (U.S.). In several areas, groundwater arsenic concentrations exceed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency maximum contaminant level of 10 μg per liter (μg/L). However, this standard applies only to public-supply drinking water and not to private-supply, which is not federally regulated and is rarely monitored. AAuthorsMelissa Lombard, Molly Scannell Bryan, Daniel Jones, Catherine Bulka, Paul M. Bradley, Lorraine C. Backer, Michael J. Focazio, Debra T. Silverman, Patricia Toccalino, Maria Argos, Matthew O. Gribble, Joseph D. AyotteAssessing the impact of drought on arsenic exposure from private domestic wells in the conterminous United States
This study assesses the potential impact of drought on arsenic exposure from private domestic wells by using a previously developed statistical model that predicts the probability of elevated arsenic concentrations (>10 μg per liter) in water from domestic wells located in the conterminous United States (CONUS). The application of the model to simulate drought conditions used systematically reduceAuthorsMelissa Lombard, Johnni Daniel, Zuha Jeddy, Lauren Hay, Joseph D. AyotteTime scales of arsenic variability and the role of high-frequency monitoring at three water-supply wells in New Hampshire, USA
Groundwater geochemistry, redox process classification, high-frequency physicochemical and hydrologic measurements, and climate data were analyzed to identify controls on arsenic (As) concentration changes. Groundwater was monitored in two public-supply wells (one glacial aquifer and one bedrock aquifer), and one bedrock-aquifer domestic well in New Hampshire, USA, from 2014 to 2018 to identify tiAuthorsJames R. Degnan, Joseph P. Levitt, Melinda Erickson, Bryant C. Jurgens, Bruce D. Lindsey, Joseph D. AyotteArsenic concentrations after drinking water well installation: Time-varying effects on arsenic mobilization
Chronic exposure to geogenic arsenic via drinking water is a worldwide health concern. However, effects of well installation and operation on arsenic concentrations and mobilization are not well understood. This knowledge gap impacts both reliable detection of arsenic in drinking water and effective public health recommendations to reduce exposure to arsenic. This study examines changes in arsenicAuthorsMelinda L. Erickson, Helen F. Malenda, Emily C. Berquist, Joseph D. AyottePerformance assessments of a novel well design for reducing exposure to bedrock‐derived arsenic
Arsenic in groundwater is a serious problem in New England, particularly for domestic well owners drawing water from bedrock aquifers. The overlying glacial aquifer generally has waters with low arsenic concentrations but is less used because of frequent loss of well water during dry periods and the vulnerability to surface‐sourced bacterial contamination. An alternative, novel design for shallowAuthorsRichard B. Winston, Joseph D. Ayotte - News
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government