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Well Testing Regulations Proposed
Two Public Hearings Scheduled
(02/37) Trenton – The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will hold two public hearings to discuss proposed regulations to implement the Private Well Testing Act, which requires sampling of drinking water wells whenever a property is transferred or leased.
The public hearings will be held at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 4, 2002 at the Gloucester County Office Building Auditorium, located at 1200 North Delsea Drive in Clayton, and at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, June 6, 2002 at the Pequest Trout Hatchery & Natural Resource Education Center Auditorium, located at Route 46, 605 Pequest Road, Oxford, Warren County.
"Every home and every New Jerseyan should be able to get detailed information about the quality of their well water," said DEP Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell. "These proposed regulations will help ensure that families, especially when buying a new home, have accurate information."
The proposed Private Well Testing regulations specify several parameters for which analyses must be performed. These include: bacteria (total and fecal coliform), nitrates, iron, manganese, pH, lead, and all volatile organic compounds for which maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) have been established by state law. Analysis for mercury and arsenic will be required for wells located in some counties. In addition, the proposed regulations state that a short-term 48-hour gross alpha test to screen for radium must be performed, which will be phased in across the state.
Laboratories performing drinking water analyses will be required to submit all sampling data to DEP electronically. For the first time DEP will maintain a centralized database on private wells that will be shared with county and local health departments.
"The testing will provide environmental and health agencies with data about ground water in areas that may require additional investigation," Campbell added. "Further, the new requirements raise the awareness of all residents using a private well about the importance of regularly testing their drinking water supply."
DEP is proposing two rules to implement the provisions of the Private Well testing Act, N.J.S.A. 58:12A-26 et seq. The testing requirements under the Private Well Testing Act for selling real property take effect September 14, 2002. Landlords must test by March 2004.
These rule proposals were published in the NJ Register on May 6, 2002. Draft copies of the rule proposals are available online at the DEP's Web site http://www.state.nj.us/dep/rules. The Private Well Testing Act was signed into law on March 23, 2001.
Written comments on the Private Well Testing Act Rule may be submitted by June 20, 2002 to:
NJ Department of Environmental Protection
Michael P. Marotta, Esq.
ATTN: DEP Docket File 08-02-04/284
Office of Legal Affairs
PO Box 402
Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0402
Written comments on the Regulations Governing the Certification of Laboratories and Environmental Measurements may be submitted by July 5, 2002 to:
NJ Department of Environmental Protection
Karen L. Hershey, Esq.
ATTN: DEP Docket File 09-02-04/306
Office of Legal Affairs
PO Box 402
Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0402
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