General Well Testing Information

Why Test a Well?
How to Test a Well?
What if I Fail?

Even though groundwater is natural, it can still become contaminated from a variety of different sources. This can become an issue for private well homeowners, if proper maintenance is not initiated. It is a much cheaper and easier alternative to protect the groundwater in your well from contamination than to remediate it later. The only way to know the quality of your private well water is to test it. Regular testing also helps identify if there is a change in your well. Some problems that could arise include structural issues or local sources of contamination.

Why Test a Well?

Why should I test my private well water?

Testing your well is important to ensure that your water is safe to drink. Though your water may appear to be fine, regular testing can help identify the presence of contaminants in your water supply, which can go unnoticed.

What are examples of contamination in my private well?

There are three main types of groundwater contamination.

  • Anthropogenic contamination:
    • Caused by human activity
    • Examples: Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), Coliform Bacteria
  • Naturally-occurring contamination:
    • Originates from the underlying geology in which the well was drilled
    • Examples: Arsenic, Gross Alpha
  • Nuisance contamination:
    • Causes issues like staining of bathroom fixtures or sediment build-up, which can cause problems with the well pump or poor taste, but generally are not a health concern
    • Examples: Iron, Manganese

When is it recommended that I test my well other than when required by the NJ PWTA (Private Well Testing Act)?

Below is a list of instances when you should consider testing your well. Testing will help identify which contaminants may be affecting your drinking water quality and to select proper treatment methods.

  • Suspected or known well contamination has occurred
  • Change in color, odor, or taste of water
  • Unexplained reoccurring gastrointestinal issues
  • Children or pregnant person live in the household
  • Whenever the well cap is removed
  • Neighbor(s) has water quality issues
  • If there has been a flood or fire near your well
  • Chemical spill near the well
  • If you or your neighbor(s) have been experiencing any septic issues

What factors can make my private well susceptible to contamination?

  • Type, age, depth, and location of your well
  • Construction and maintenance of your well
  • Characteristics of your local geology, groundwater, recent weather, and long-term climate
  • Characteristics of your household plumbing materials and well components
  • Natural geological sources of groundwater contaminants
  • Septic tanks and household waste disposal practices
  • Local land use activities
  • Known or suspected private well contamination nearby

What parameters are recommended that I test my private well for?

It is recommended that private well owners test their wells regularly even when it is not required by the NJ PWTA. The following is a list of contaminants and water quality indicators that are required to be tested by the NJ PWTA:

  • Total Coliform Bacteria (E. Coli)
  • Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
  • Synthetic Organic Compounds (SOCs)
  • Perfluorinated Compounds (PFOA, PFOS, and PFNA)
  • Nitrates
  • Lead
  • Arsenic
  • Mercury1
  • Gross Alpha (Radionuclides)
  • Uranium2
  • Iron
  • Manganese
  • pH

1Only required in Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Monmouth, Ocean, and Salem counties
2Only required in Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union, and Warren counties

How often is it recommended  I test my private well?

You must test your well when required by the NJ PWTA. In addition, the NJ Department of Health encourages well owners to test as follows:

  • Every year (at least): Total Coliform, Nitrates, and pH
  • Every five years (at least): PFAS, Lead, VOCs, SOCs, Iron, and Manganese
  • At least once: Arsenic*, Mercury, Gross Alpha, and Uranium

*Arsenic testing frequency: After the initial test, testing frequency recommendations are based on known concentration. Please review the Arsenic Testing page for more specific guidance.

How to Test a Well?

Where can I get my well water tested?

There are commercial testing laboratories that perform well water sampling and testing. Make sure that the lab is certified to test for the contaminants that you are interested in testing for. A list of New Jersey DEP labs certified for well water testing can be found here.

How much will the testing cost?

Testing prices vary from lab to lab. Most labs offer a la carte testing, so you only pay for the testing you want. Information about testing required under the NJ PWTA can be found here.

Who will pay for the testing?

Testing of private wells for your own personal knowledge is the responsibility of the homeowner. Public water users pay a monthly water bill to their water company to ensure the quality of their water. Private well owners act as “their own water company”. Information about testing required under the NJ PWTA can be found here.

Will the lab tell me if my water is safe?

The laboratory is required to report the test results to the individual who requested the test. The reporting form from the lab should show how the well water results compare with State and Federal drinking water standards. NJ PWTA standards can be found here. All NJ drinking water standards can be found here.

Where can I find more information about water quality concerns for lakefront communities?

Untreated surface water should never be used for any potable use, showering, handwashing, dishwashing, drinking, or preparing food, especially for infants or children. Even with various types of home treatment, some risks remain. While water may often appear to be “clean,” one drop of water can contain thousands of microorganisms, some of which could be potentially dangerous or make you ill. Please refer to our Water Quality Concerns for Lakefront Communities fact sheet which goes into more detail about water quality concerns for lakefront communities.

What are the meanings of the terms MCL, Action Level, and Recommended Upper Limit regarding Safe Drinking Water Standards?

  • MCL (Maximum Contaminant Level): the maximum level of a primary contaminant that is allowed in drinking water in accordance with the Safe Drinking Water Act and corresponding regulations
  • Action Level: concentrations of certain primary contaminants (i.e., lead and copper) in drinking water at which treatment requirements may be initiated by the Federal Safe Drinking Water Regulations
  • Recommended Upper Limit: the optimal range for secondary contaminants (i.e., iron, manganese, and pH) in accordance with the New Jersey Safe Drinking Water Regulations

What happens if I fail?

If my well water does not meet one or more of the drinking water standards, does that mean it is not safe to drink?

Not necessarily. Some of the standards are based on aesthetics (secondary standards), while some are based on long-term health effects (primary standards). Certain contaminants above the standard would not necessarily mean that the water is unsafe to drink. For example, high levels of iron (secondary standard) in the water are generally not considered a health concern, but can give the water an unpleasant taste or cause staining on bathroom fixtures. On the other hand, nitrates (primary standard) above the standard may cause a condition called Blue Baby Syndrome, which affects the baby’s oxygen levels.

If my well fails to meet one or more of the standards, will the health department or the DEP make that information public?

No, the laboratory only reports the test results to the person who requested the testing (if the testing was done for your own knowledge).

If the testing is a part of the NJ PWTA, the results will also be sent to the DEP and local health authority. Both the DEP and the local health authority are required to keep the address of tested wells confidential. More details about the requirements for the New Jersey Private Well Testing Act can be found here.

If the well water does not meet one or more of the drinking water standards, what are my options?

It mostly depends on what parameters the water failed for. Some of the standards are based on aesthetics (secondary standards), while some are based on long-term health effects (primary standards). Whether or not to treat the water is up to the homeowner’s discretion. High levels of contaminants with a primary standard would be a health concern and therefore should either be treated or not consumed. For more information, please refer to the water treatment page. Learn more about New Jersey drinking water standards here or the federal drinking water standards here.

If a well fails to meet one or more of the standards, who will pay for water treatment?

Generally, homeowners are responsible for installation and maintenance costs that are incurred concerning their potable well water. However, there are programs that may be available to homeowners for financial assistance if specific eligibility requirements are met.

The Spill Compensation Fund administered by Environmental Claims Administration within the Department offers help to innocent parties suffering from direct or indirect damages resulting from the human-caused discharge of a hazardous substance. There are specific eligibility requirements and guidelines for filing claims with the Spill Compensation Fund. For more information, please see the Processing of Damage Claims Pursuant to the Spill Compensation and Control Act rules, N.J.A.C. 7:1J  for eligibility requirements or contact the NJDEP-Environmental Claims Administration at 609-984-2076 or visit the Spill Compensation Fund website. You may write to the ECA: NJDEP-ECA/Spill Fund, Mail Code 401-06J, P.O. Box 420, 401 E. State Street, Trenton, N.J. 08625-0420.

The New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA) has a Potable Water Loan Program that is available to owners of single family residences whose source of potable water exceeds the State of New Jersey’s Primary Drinking Water Standards. In addition, the loan program covers sodium, chloride, iron, and manganese although these contaminants do not have Primary Drinking Water Standards. For further information, please contact the NJHMFA Hotline at 1-800-NJHOUSE (1-800-654-6873) or they may be reached at: P.O. Box 18550, 637 South Clinton Avenue, Trenton, N.J. 08650-2085 or through the NJHMFA Potable Water Loan Program website.

The Water Well Trust (WWT) is a 501(c)3 organization created by the Water Systems Council to provide a clean water supply to American families living without access. The Water Well Trust and its partners provide funding for wells and/or septic systems for low‐income families nationwide that need safe drinking water or wastewater systems. They serve Americans living primarily in rural, unincorporated areas or minority communities that may be isolated and difficult to reach. They assist low‐income families that do not have access to public water supplies or sewer, and those who live in areas where the extension of public water supplies to serve them doesn’t make economic sense…for them, for the public water supply owners, for federal, state or local funding sources. For more information about their program, please visit the Water Well Trust website.

The US Department of Agriculture provides loans to very-low-income homeowners to repair, improve or modernize their homes or grants to elderly very-low-income homeowners to remove health and safety hazards. For eligibility and more details about this program, please refer to the US Department of Agriculture website or the Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants fact sheet.

The Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project (SERCAP)’s Individual Household Well & Septic Loan products, which are underwritten by USDA Rural Development, provide low-interest (1%) loans to eligible Low-to-Moderate Income (LMI) homeowners for the repair or replacement of an individual household well or septic system. Please visit the SERCAP website for more information.

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