Wells

Around 10% of New Jersey residents get their drinking water from private wells. While public water supplies are protected under the State and Federal Safe Drinking Water Acts, private well owners are solely responsible for monitoring the quality of their own well water and for maintaining their own well. In addition, private well owners are responsible for making sure their well is working correctly. In New Jersey, contractors who install private wells must be licensed and follow strict construction standards.

Regular well testing is an important step that private well owners can take to ensure that their water supply is both safe to drink and appealing to use.

A variety of water testing services are available from New Jersey certified commercial laboratories. These laboratories are listed in the yellow pages of your phone book. You may also call the Health Department (973-326-7390) for a listing of certified laboratories or for more information on what water testing might be appropriate for your well.

Common Sources of Well Water Contamination

There are many substances that can negatively affect the quality of your well water. Some are found naturally in the environment, while others result from human activities. The most common sources of well water contamination in New Jersey include the following:

Infectious microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses and protozoa, are naturally found in human and animal wastes. They can enter your well water from faulty household septic systems or nearby animal feedlots.

Nitrates often come from the natural breakdown of human and animal wastes. They are also found in chemical fertilizers. Nitrates can enter your well water from faulty household septic systems, nearby farms and home fertilizer use.

Lead was once used in household plumbing materials. Lead pipes and solder can still be found in many older homes. Small amounts of lead are also found in brass faucets and in some well pumps. Lead can enter your well water from household plumbing as water travels from the well to your tap, especially if your water is acidic. Other sources of lead include municipal landfills, and industrial facilities and waste sites.

There are many other contaminants that may be found in well water. These pollutants might include inorganic compounds (i.e., mercury), volatile organic compounds, pesticides and radionuclides. While only traces of these contaminants are normally found in well water, much heavier concentrations may be found on rare occasion (i.e., well in close proximity to a leaking underground storage tank).

Well Testing for Real Estate Transactions (PWTA)

New Jersey's comprehensive Private Well Testing Act (PWTA) requires sampling of private drinking water wells for contamination whenever a property is sold. A laboratory certified by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection in drinking water methods must perform the tests, which are estimated to cost between $450 and $650.

Under the new law and its companion regulations, well water must be tested for total coliform; nitrates; iron; manganese; pH; lead and all volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) for which maximum contaminate levels have been established by state regulations. These include such substances as benzene and trichloroethylene. In addition, testing for arsenic must be done in 10 northern and central counties considered high risk, while testing for mercury must be done in nine southern and shore counties.

New Jersey's Safe Drinking Water regulations previously only required new private wells to be tested and only for five contaminants: coliform bacteria, nitrates, iron, manganese and pH, or the alkaline/acide balance, before being placed in service. Before closings, both buyer and seller must certify in writing that the tests were performed and that the results were shared with the parties.

NJDEP has set up web pages, www.state.nj.us/dep/, www.state.nj.us/dep/pwta/, and a toll-free hotline, 1-866-4PW-TEST, so members of the public can get answers to questions about the testing requirements.

Want More Information about Wells and Water Quality?

If you would like more information on wells and water quality, contact the following agencies:

• New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services
  Consumer and Environmental Health Services
  (609) 584-5370
  Health effects of chemicals and microorganisms in water
  
  
• New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
  Bureau of Safe Drinking Water
  (609) 292-5550
  Federal and State drinking water regulations and public water supply monitoring results
  
  
• New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
  Bureau of Water Allocation
  (609) 984-6831
  Well permitting and regulations
  
  
• Office of Quality Assurance
  (609) 292-3950
  New Jersey certified laboratories for well testing
  
  
• Bureau of Site Remediation
  (609) 984-5862
  Home water treatment devices
  
  
• United States Environmental Protection Agency
  Safe Drinking Water Hotline
  (800) 426-4791
  Federal drinking water regulations; health effects of drinking water contamination
  
  
• NSF International
  (734) 769-8010
  (800) NSF-6275
  Home water treatment devices and bottled water information