New Jersey Private Well Testing Act (PWTA) 2024
Effective as of 03/09/2024

Background Information from the NJDEP

In March 2001, the New Jersey Private Well Testing Act (PWTA)1 was signed into law, and its regulations became effective in September 2002. Through a rule published in the New Jersey Register on September 4, 2018, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (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. On December 1, 2021 the act is being amended to add PFAS compounds (PFNA, PFOS, and PFOA).

The PWTA is specific to New Jersey and 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 30 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. to the NJDEP for statewide analysis of groundwater quality.

Test Options

The PWTA program is designed for well water testing by county and can be applied to other drinking water sources.

TESTSMETHODHOLD-TIME
pH (Field Sampling)SM 4500-H BAnalyze Immediately – 15 minutes
Total Coliform & E. coliSM 9223B30 Hours from time of collection
IronEPA 200.76 Months
Lead, Arsenic & ManganeseEPA 200.86 Months
MercuryEPA 245.128 Days
NitrateEPA 300.048 Hours from time of collection
Gross AlphaNJ Rapid Gross Alpha Method36 – 48 Hours from time of collection
Total UraniumEPA 200.86 Months
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)EPA 524.214 Days
1,2,3 – TCP, EDB, DBCP (SOCs)EPA 504.114 Days extract – 24 Hours analysis
PFAS (PFNA, PFOS, PFOA)EPA 537.114 Days extract – 28 Days analysis
Analysis includes EMSL submission to NJDEP via the E2 State Reporting System as required.

1st Sampling Event
$1,149 per well

EMSL Analytical, Inc. provides a certified sampler, laboratory testing, and New Jersey E2 State Reporting. This is all included for a flat fee of $1,149 per well.

Tests Included 2 :

  • pH
  • Nitrate
  • Total Coliform
  • E. coli
  • Iron
  • Lead
  • Arsenic
  • Manganese
  • Mercury
  • PFAS (PFNA, PFOS, PFOA)
  • Gross Alpha
  • Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
  • 1,2,3 TCP, EDB, DBCP (SOCs)

Turnaround:

  • 1 Week Standard

Additional Sampling Events
$183 per well

Any additional re-sampling events will cost $183 per well plus the cost of analysis listed here.

The charges will re-apply with each visit by the sampler (ie. 3rd re-sampling event, 4th re-sampling event, etc.).

A certified sampler and laboratory testing included.

Turnaround:

  • Test Dependent

See here for 3-day options.

Package C

Private Well Testing Act (PWTA)
New Jersey Northern Counties

Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union, and Warren

PFAS Only
$480 per well

Optional Post Treatment Package
+$580 per well

To round out your post treatment test results, request this add-on package for an additional $580 per well ($1,729 total)

  • Gross Alpha
  • Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
  • 1,2,3 TCP, EDB, DBCP (SOCs)
  • PFAS (PFNA, PFOS, PFOA)

1st Sampling Event
$1,149 per well

EMSL Analytical, Inc. provides a certified sampler, laboratory testing, and New Jersey E2 State Reporting. This is all included for a flat fee of $1,149 per well.

Tests Included 2 :

  • pH
  • Nitrate
  • Total Coliform
  • E. coli
  • Iron
  • Lead
  • Arsenic
  • Manganese
  • Mercury
  • PFAS (PFNA, PFOS, PFOA)
  • Gross Alpha
  • Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
  • 1,2,3 TCP, EDB, DBCP (SOCs)

Turnaround:

  • 1 Week Standard

Additional Sampling Events
$115 per well

Any additional re-sampling events will cost $115 per well plus the cost of analysis listed here.

The charges will re-apply with each visit by the sampler (ie. 3rd re-sampling event, 4th re-sampling event, etc.).

A certified sampler and laboratory testing included.

Turnaround:

  • Test Dependent

See here for 3-day options.

Package A

Private Well Testing Act (PWTA)
New Jersey Ocean County

PFAS Only
$480 per well

Optional Post Treatment Package
+$580 per well

To round out your post treatment test results, request this add-on package for an additional $580 per well ($1,729 total)

  • Gross Alpha
  • Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
  • 1,2,3 TCP, EDB, DBCP (SOCs)
  • PFAS (PFNA, PFOS, PFOA)

1st Sampling Event
$1,149 per well

EMSL Analytical, Inc. provides a certified sampler, laboratory testing, and New Jersey E2 State Reporting. This is all included for a flat fee of $1,149 per well.

Tests Included 2 :

  • pH
  • Nitrate
  • Total Coliform
  • E. coli
  • Iron
  • Lead
  • Arsenic
  • Manganese
  • Mercury
  • PFAS (PFNA, PFOS, PFOA)
  • Gross Alpha
  • Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
  • 1,2,3 TCP, EDB, DBCP (SOCs)

Turnaround:

  • 1 Week Standard

Additional Sampling Events
$183 per well

Any additional re-sampling events will cost $183 per well plus the cost of analysis listed here.

The charges will re-apply with each visit by the sampler (ie. 3rd re-sampling event, 4th re-sampling event, etc.).

A certified sampler and laboratory testing included.

Turnaround:

  • Test Dependent

See here for 3-day options.

Package A

Private Well Testing Act (PWTA)
New Jersey Cape May County

PFAS Only
$480 per well

Optional Post Treatment Package
+$580 per well

To round out your post treatment test results, request this add-on package for an additional $580 per well ($1,729 total)

  • Gross Alpha
  • Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
  • 1,2,3 TCP, EDB, DBCP (SOCs)
  • PFAS (PFNA, PFOS, PFOA)

1st Sampling Event
$939 per well

EMSL Analytical, Inc. provides a certified sampler, laboratory testing, and New Jersey E2 State Reporting. This is all included for a flat fee of $939 per well.

Tests Included 2 :

  • pH
  • Nitrate
  • Total Coliform
  • E. coli
  • Iron
  • Lead
  • Arsenic
  • Manganese
  • Mercury
  • PFAS (PFNA, PFOS, PFOA)
  • Gross Alpha
  • Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
  • 1,2,3 TCP, EDB, DBCP (SOCs)

Turnaround:

  • 1 Week Standard

Additional Sampling Events
$115 per well

Any additional re-sampling events will cost $115 per well plus the cost of analysis listed here.

The charges will re-apply with each visit by the sampler (ie. 3rd re-sampling event, 4th re-sampling event, etc.).

A certified sampler and laboratory testing included.

Turnaround:

  • Test Dependent

See here for 3-day options.

Package A

Private Well Testing Act (PWTA)
New Jersey Southern Counties

Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cumberland, Gloucester, Salem, and Monmouth

PFAS Only
$480 per well

Optional Post Treatment Package
+$580 per well

To round out your post treatment test results, request this add-on package for an additional $580 per well ($1,519 total)

  • Gross Alpha
  • Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
  • 1,2,3 TCP, EDB, DBCP (SOCs)
  • PFAS (PFNA, PFOS, PFOA)
link
Cost Per Test Package
PWTA Packages by Region3 Days1 Week
New Jersey Northern Counties$1,463$1,149
New Jersey Ocean County$1,463$1,149
New Jersey Cape May County$1,463$1,149
New Jersey Southern Counties$1,254$939
Cost Per Test
Test(s)3 Days1 Week
pH$17N/A
Total Coliform and E. coli$72N/A
Iron$88$63
Lead$88$67
Arsenic$88$67
Manganese$88$67
Mercury$134$107
Hardness$94$80
Nitrate$85N/A
Gross Alpha$94N/A
Total Uranium$88$63
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)$498$306
1,2,3 – TCP, EDB, DBCP (SOCs)$290$192
PFAS (PFNA, PFOS, PFOA)$728$480
Radon in Water$72$65
Total Dissolved Solids$99$64
Cost Per Test
Test(s)4 Weeks
Radium-226$199
Radium-228$199
Cost Per Test Package
Test Package3 Days1 Week
Copper, Nickel, Zinc$112$87
Antimony, Barium, Beryllium, Cadmium, Selenium,
Thallium		$148$123
Anions – Fluoride, Chloride, Nitrate, Nitrite,
Bromide, Ortho-Phosphate as P, Sulfate		$421$264
Cyanide$196$134
Cost Per Test Package
Test Packages2 Weeks
Biologicals – Legionella (M343) and
Cryptosporidium and Giardia (M640)		$1,044
Cost Per Test Package
Test Packages4 Weeks
Total Uranium, Gross Alpha, Radium-226, and
Radium-228		$555

Reference Links

1New Jersey Division of Science, Research and Technology; The New Jersey Private Well Testing Act: An Overview; April, 2009; https://www.nj.gov/dep/dsr/research/pwta-overview.pdf

NJ PWTA Homepage: https://www.state.nj.us/dep/watersupply/pw_pwta.html

2NJ PWTA link to required tests by county: https://www.state.nj.us/dep/watersupply/pwta/pwta_list.htm

NJ PWTA Frequently Asked Questions Page: https://www.state.nj.us/dep/watersupply/pwta/pwta_faq.htm

For More Information on Our Lab Testing Services, Pricing, Sampling Guides, or Products:

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