Required Arsenic Testing Under The New Jersey Private Well

Arsenic In Well Water Testing New Jersey is a big deal in water treatment today. Here at AMPAC USA, we build top-notch systems that give you safe, clean water for your home, business, or industrial needs. Our systems are made to get rid of the most contaminants and keep working reliably for years.

Author(s): Flanagan, S. V.; Gleason, J. A.; Spayd, S. E.; Procopio, N. A.; Rockafellow-Baldoni, M.; Braman, S.; Chillrud, S. N.; Yan Zheng

Source: International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health, 221 (6):929-940; 10.1016/j.ijheh.2018.05.008 2018

Abstract: Arsenic, which occurs naturally in groundwater, is a real health worry, especially for homes that use private wells because those aren’t regulated. Right now, the biggest hurdle to cutting down on arsenic exposure is that many private well owners just don’t test their water. It’s tough to get people to take action. Rules and policies that require testing could really help us screen all private well water and reduce arsenic exposure. New Jersey’s Private Well Testing Act (PWTA) says you have to test for arsenic during real estate sales. But, the rules don’t actually require you to fix the problem if arsenic levels are too high. We sent a survey to residents whose homes had arsenic levels above the state limit in PWTA tests. The results, from 486 people, showed a range of actions. Some did nothing to cut down exposure (28%), while others reported using treatment and doing the right maintenance and monitoring (15%). Even though 86% remembered their well was tested when they bought their home, only 60% said their test showed an arsenic issue. About 63% of households use treatment systems, but half of those were put in by a previous owner. For the 308 people treating their water, 57% said they were doing the recommended maintenance. However, only 31% had tested their treated water in the last year. How susceptible people felt and what barriers they saw strongly predicted if they’d take action. For those treating for arsenic, how serious they thought the problem was tied to recent monitoring. Their commitment level related to doing proper maintenance. If someone mentioned a treatment service agreement, they were much more likely to monitor and maintain correctly. On the flip side, if a previous owner installed the treatment, it was less likely to be maintained. So, even though the PWTA requires well testing, this study found that not all current well owners know the test happened or understood what their arsenic results meant. And for those with arsenic treatment, poor monitoring and maintenance could undo their efforts to reduce exposure. These findings suggest we need more effort, resources, and support to make sure home buyers pay attention to, understand, and act on test results when they’re done. This could really improve how we manage arsenic water problems long-term and boost the PWTA’s public health impact.

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Source: Water Feed

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the New Jersey Private Well Testing Act (PWTA)?
The New Jersey Private Well Testing Act (PWTA) mandates arsenic testing for private wells during real estate transactions. This policy aims to increase universal screening for naturally occurring arsenic in groundwater, a significant public health concern. However, the PWTA does not require remedial action if arsenic levels exceed state Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs).

Does the New Jersey PWTA require homeowners to treat arsenic contamination?
No, the New Jersey Private Well Testing Act (PWTA) only mandates testing for arsenic during real estate transactions, not remedial action. This means even if arsenic levels exceed state Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs), homeowners are not legally required to install treatment systems. This gap contributes to a significant portion of well owners taking no action, as revealed by follow-up surveys.

What actions do New Jersey well owners take after detecting arsenic?
A survey of New Jersey residents whose wells tested above the state MCL for arsenic revealed varied responses. While 63% reported using treatment systems, only 15% consistently performed both treatment use and appropriate maintenance and monitoring. Notably, 28% of respondents took no action at all to reduce their exposure.

How can I ensure my arsenic water treatment system is properly maintained and effective?
Proper maintenance and regular monitoring are crucial for the long-term effectiveness of arsenic treatment systems. A treatment service agreement is a strong predictor of appropriate monitoring and maintenance behavior, ensuring systems like those from AMPAC USA continue to perform optimally. Regular testing of treated water, ideally within the past year, confirms the system’s ongoing contaminant removal capabilities.

What factors prevent New Jersey well owners from addressing arsenic contamination?
Key barriers to arsenic mitigation include a lack of perceived susceptibility to health risks and perceived barriers to action, such as cost or complexity. The survey also found that treatment systems installed by a previous owner are less likely to be properly maintained. These factors highlight the challenge in motivating consistent protective behavior among private well owners.