Residents using private wells for drinking or cooking should arrange for a comprehensive water test ANNUALLY. Low cost testing for bacteria, nitrates, volatile organic chemicals, lead, mercury and other metals is available for Atlantic County residents by calling (609) 645-5971 ext. 4356. Representatives from the Division of Public Health will come to your home to collect the water samples. Upon notification of test results that fail to meet drinking water standards, you will receive immediate notification by telephone. Written results will be sent to you in the mail. For more information see links below. The Potable Water Program is also responsible for the following activities: Surveying neighborhoods for new Areas Of Concern for groundwater contamination and distributing flyers within the new areas advising residents to test their wells. The enactment of the Private Well Testing Act (see link below) has greatly increased the number of private wells found to be contaminated. Review of water tests for Certificates of Occupancy for newly constructed homes. Inspection of Public Non-Community Water Supplies and assessing penalties for failure to test for required parameters or failure to correct violations of Maximum Contaminant Levels. Under interagency agreement with USEPA, NJDEP and Federal and State Departments of Labor, sampling of all wells servicing migrant labor camps for bacteria and nitrates. Results are reported to farm owners and above agencies for enforcement of labor standards. Legal References: N.J.S.A. 58:11-23 et seq. - Realty Improvement and Sewerage Facilities Act N.J.A.C. 7:9E-1 et seq. - Private Well Testing Act of New Jersey N.J.A.C. 7:10 - 1.1 et seq. - New Jersey Safe Drinking Water Act Brochure. (see below).

Helpful Links:

• New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
• US Environmental Protection Agency

Forms and Documents:

• Important Well Water Testing Information (Spanish)
• Important Well Water Testing Information (English)
• Lead in Drinking Water
• Mercury in Drinking Water
• Nitrate and Nitrite in Drinking Water
• Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Drinking Water
• Pesticides in Drinking Water
• Private Well Testing Facts
• Radium in Drinking Water
• Volatile Organic Compounds in Drinking Water