State Well Water Guide
New Jersey Private Well Water Guide
Approximately 1.7 million New Jerseyans — about 20% of the population — rely on private wells, primarily in rural and suburban areas of Burlington, Morris, Monmouth, Ocean, and Sussex counties. New Jersey's industrial legacy and dense development make it one of the more contamination-prone states for private wells. PFAS, TCE, arsenic in northern bedrock, radon, and nitrates from dense septic development are the primary concerns. NJDEP administers the Private Well Testing Act, which requires testing at point of sale.
Testing Guidance
New Jersey's Private Well Testing Act requires testing when a property with a private well is sold or transferred. NJDEP recommends annual testing for coliform bacteria and nitrates. Northern NJ bedrock well owners should test for radon and arsenic. Wells near the many NJ Superfund sites should be tested for VOCs and PFAS. Ocean and Burlington county well owners should test for iron and manganese from coastal plain aquifers.
What to Test For in New Jersey
Total coliform bacteria and E. coli — annual minimum
Nitrates — statewide, especially in densely developed areas with septic systems
Radon — northern NJ bedrock wells (Bergen, Morris, Passaic, Sussex, Warren counties)
Arsenic — northern Highlands bedrock wells
PFAS — near Lakehurst, Fort Dix, McGuire AFB, and numerous industrial Superfund sites
TCE and VOCs — near the many NJ industrial Superfund sites
Iron and manganese — coastal plain aquifers (Ocean, Burlington, Atlantic counties)
Lead — older well casings and pump components
Common Contamination Risks in New Jersey
PFAS from military bases and industrial sites — NJ has one of the highest densities of PFAS-contaminated sites in the nation
TCE and industrial solvents — extensive Superfund contamination throughout the industrial corridor
Radon in bedrock groundwater — the Highlands region has among the highest radon concentrations in the eastern US
Arsenic from crystalline rock — the NJ Highlands metamorphic and igneous geology releases natural arsenic
Nitrates from dense development — some of the highest septic densities in the nation affect shallow aquifer wells
Iron and manganese from coastal plain aquifers — naturally elevated levels cause aesthetic and health concerns
Contaminant Guides Relevant to NJ Wells
PFAS
Synthetic Chemicals
EPA limit: 4 ppt
Lead
Heavy Metals
EPA limit: 15 ppb (action level)
Nitrates
Agricultural Chemicals
EPA limit: 10 mg/L
DBPs
Disinfection Byproducts
EPA limit: 80 µg/L (TTHMs) / 60 µg/L (HAA5)
Arsenic
Heavy Metals
EPA limit: 10 ppb
Hard Water
Minerals
EPA limit: No federal limit
Chlorine
Disinfection Chemicals
EPA limit: 4 mg/L (MRDL)
Microplastics
Emerging Contaminants
EPA limit: No federal limit
Bacteria
Microbial Contamination
EPA limit: Zero E. coli / < 1 coliform per 100 mL
Fluoride
Minerals
EPA limit: 4 mg/L (MCL) / 2 mg/L (Secondary MCL)
Chromium-6
Heavy Metals
EPA limit: 100 ppb (total chromium)
Copper
Heavy Metals
EPA limit: 1.3 mg/L (action level)
Radon
Radioactive Contaminants
EPA limit: No finalized MCL
Iron & Manganese
Minerals
EPA limit: 0.3 mg/L iron / 0.05 mg/L manganese (aesthetic SMCLs)
Atrazine
Agricultural Chemicals
EPA limit: 3 ppb (0.003 mg/L)
Uranium
Radioactive Contaminants
EPA limit: 30 µg/L (30 ppb)
Perchlorate
Industrial Chemicals
EPA limit: 0.056 mg/L (56 ppb)
VOCs
Industrial Chemicals
EPA limit: Varies by compound: benzene 5 ppb; TCE 5 ppb; PCE 5 ppb; vinyl chloride 2 ppb
Radium
Radioactive Contaminants
EPA limit: 5 pCi/L (combined Ra-226 + Ra-228)
Crypto & Giardia
Microbial Contamination
EPA limit: Zero (treatment technique standard)
Hydrogen Sulfide
Naturally Occurring Compounds
EPA limit: No MCL; Secondary MCL (aesthetic) of 0.05 mg/L
Selenium
Minerals
EPA limit: 50 ppb (0.05 mg/L)
Cadmium
Heavy Metals
EPA limit: 5 ppb (0.005 mg/L)
Mercury
Heavy Metals
EPA limit: 2 ppb (0.002 mg/L)
Barium
Heavy Metals
EPA limit: 2 mg/L
Find a Certified Lab in New Jersey
Use the New Jersey state-certified laboratory program to find accredited labs for private well testing. Always verify current certification before submitting samples.
NJ Certified Lab Directory ↗New Jersey Well Water FAQs
Related Pages
Data Sources & Provenance
All data on this page is sourced from official U.S. government or public datasets.
Quick Reference
State program
NJ Certified Labs ↗EPA guidance
EPA Private Wells Program ↗State lab directory
NJ Certified Labs ↗Minimum Annual Tests
Plus state-specific contaminants listed above
Other State Guides