Private Well Testing

PWTA: Background Information

In March 2001, the New Jersey Private Well Testing Act (PWTA) was signed into law, and its regulations became effective in September 2002. The PWTA is specific to New Jersey and it is a consumer information law that requires sellers, buyers, and lessors of properties with wells to test the untreated groundwater for a variety of water quality parameters, including over 40 parameters of human health concern. Sellers and buyers are required to review the test results prior to closing of title. Landlords are required to test their well water once every five years and provide a copy of the test results to each tenant. The test data is submitted electronically by EMSL Analytical, Inc. (EMSL) to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) for statewide analysis of groundwater quality.

Through a rule published in the New Jersey Register on September 4, 2018, the NJDEP amended the PWTA rules and expanded testing for gross alpha and arsenic and required new testing for uranium for private wells. On March 3, 2019, the amendment also required 1,2,3-trichloropropane (1,2,3-TCP), ethylene dibromide (EDB) and 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP) testing.

The NJDEP adopted additional amendments to the PWTA rules that became effective on June 1, 2020. Under these rule amendments, starting December 1^st, 2021, private wells subject to sale or lease are also required to be tested for three per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) compounds: perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA).

What are PFOA, PFOS, and PFNA?

PFOA, PFOS, and PFNA are included within a group of man-made PFAS chemicals. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), PFAS have been used in industry and consumer products since the 1940’s with PFOA and PFOS being the most widely used and studied of the PFAS chemicals. Many PFAS break down slowly and can accumulate in people, animals, and the environment over time.

As per the EPA, current scientific research suggests that exposure to high levels of certain PFAS may lead to adverse health effects and more research is underway to better understand the health effects associated with low levels of PFAS exposure over long periods of time. There are a variety of ways that people can be exposed to PFAS chemicals, including drinking water that is sourced from a contaminated private drinking water well.

What are the Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for PFOA, PFOS, and PFNA?

The NJDEP has adopted the following MCLs for these three contaminants:

*micrograms per liter, ug/l (or parts per billion, ppb)

PWTA Testing Services

EMSL provides laboratory testing services in accordance with the PWTA. In addition, EMSL has dedicated NJ State Certified Samplers and Project Coordinators to assist all customers. Our corporate headquarters resides in Cinnaminson, New Jersey and is equipped to handle projects no matter how big or small the request.

What does EMSL offer with its PWTA services?

• NJ State Certified Samplers and laboratory analysis
• Short lead-time on scheduled sampling requests
• Dedicated Project Coordinators to manage your sampling events
• Easy-to-read, color-coded, interpretive reports (click here to view Sample Report)
• State-required notifications and reporting of results
• All analyses performed in-house – no subcontracting required!

What should you know before scheduling a NJ PWTA sampling event with EMSL?

• Scheduling in advanced is preferred
  • Can schedule up to a year in advance
  • Can schedule Monday through Friday collection times
    (we do not sample on Saturday or Sunday)
  • Payment in full, by credit card, is required to schedule a sampling event
    
    
• Turnaround Time (TAT)
  • Standard turnaround for sample analysis is 5 business days from collection
  • Faster turnaround times may be available with prior coordination and approval by your Project Coordinator and/or the laboratory
    
    

 How do you schedule a sampling event?

• Call 1-888-831-1083 to speak with a Project Coordinator directly
• Email pwta@emsl.com to connect with a Project Coordinator at your convenience
• Please have your credit card and project information handy
  (example: project address, lockbox code, pets on-site, etc.)
  
  

Can EMSL perform additional water tests that are beyond the NJ PWTA requirements?

• Yes! Tests can be added to treated water samples only. EMSL can report these additional test results directly to the requestor in a separate laboratory report. This entire transaction will be handled independently from the NJ PWTA sampling request. Payment in full, by credit card, is required from the requestor to schedule a sampling event.
  
  

Meg Freudenrich              Email: pwta@emsl.com               Phone: 1-888-831-1083

 >> Click here to view our Sample Report

Additional Resources:

• New Jersey Private Well Testing Act (PWTA) Website
  https://www.nj.gov/dep/dsr/pwta/ 
  
  
• List of Required Parameters for Private Well Testing
  https://www.state.nj.us/dep/watersupply/pwta/pwta_list.htm
  
  
• EPA Information on PFAS
  https://www.epa.gov/pfas/pfas-explained#difference 
  
  
• NJDEP Division of Water Supply & Geoscience Information on PFAS
  https://www.nj.gov/dep/watersupply/pfas/
  
  
• NJDEP Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) in Drinking Water
  https://www.state.nj.us/dep/watersupply/dwc_quality_pfoa.html