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Private Well Testing Act (PWTA)

The New Jersey Private Well Testing Act (PWTA), effective September 14, 2002, requires that potable wells be tested for specific parameters as a condition for each sale of real property. Landlords are also required to comply by March 2004, and every five (5) years thereafter.

Testing Requirements

  • Total Coliform/E. coli
  • Nitrates
  • pH
  • Iron
  • Manganese
  • Lead
  • Arsenic
  • Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
  • Synthetic Organic Compounds (SOCs)
  • 1,2-Dlbromoethane (EDB)
  • 1,2-Dlbromo-3-Chloropropane (DBCP)
  • 1,2,3-Trlchloropropane (1,2,3-TCP)
  • Gross Alpha Radionuclides
  • Perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS)
    • Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
    • Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS)
    • Perfluorononanolc acid (PFNA)
  • Mercury
    • Required in Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Monmouth, Ocean and Salem counties
  • Uranium
    • Required in Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren counties

Important Consideration

  • A NJDEP State Certified Laboratory must perform the sampling and analysis
  • The PWTA requires that raw, untreated water be sampled
  • Sampling of treated water and additional analyses may be required by certain Counties and/or Local Health Departments
  • The NJDEP requires specialized reports including electronic submittals and GPS coordinates