Did you know that homeowners are responsible for testing their wells for contaminants?
Unlike public water, which is tested by the provider, the quality of well water is the responsibility of the property owner alone. The CDC recommends testing water annually to ensure there are no contaminants present.
Percent of sampled wells exceeding contaminant limits in Washington Township
(Data from NJDEP PWTA)
| Nitrate |
0.4%, (1179 wells sampled) |
| Arsenic |
0.3%, (1174 wells sampled) |
| Iron |
26.9%, (1179 wells sampled) |
| Manganese |
17.6%, (1179 wells sampled) |
| Gross Alpha |
0.0%, (29 wells sampled) |
| VOC |
0.4%, (1179 wells sampled) |
| Fecal coliform or E. coli |
1.6%, (1179 wells sampled) |
| pH |
57.2%, (1178 wells sampled) |
Contaminants can enter your water through naturally occurring deposits, faulty septic tanks or sewer leaks, and nearby land use practices including farming, manufacturing, and landscaping.
What can you do?
1. Get your well tested for common contaminants annually. The Washington Township Environmental Commission is partnered with Raritan Headwaters Association to offer low-cost testing annually.
2. If needed, remediate.
What should you test for?
Test annually for total coliform bacteria, nitrates, total dissolved solids, and PH levels. Test for additional contaminants if you suspect an issue, or if you have noticed any of the following conditions (from the EPA):
| Conditions or Nearby Activities: |
Test for: |
| Recurring gastro-intestinal illness |
Coliform bacteria |
| Household plumbing or service lines that contain lead |
pH, lead, copper |
| Radon in indoor air or region is radon rich |
Radon |
| Corrosion of pipes, plumbing |
Corrosion, pH, lead |
| Nearby areas of intensive agriculture |
Nitrate, nitrite, pesticides, coliform bacteria |
| Coal or other mining operations nearby |
Metals, pH, corrosion |
| Gas drilling operations nearby |
Chloride, sodium, barium, strontium |
| Dump, junkyard, landfill, factory, gas station or dry-cleaning operation nearby |
Volatile organic compounds, total dissolved solids, pH, sulfate, chloride, metals |
| Odor of gasoline or fuel oil, and near gas station or buried fuel tanks |
Volatile organic compounds |
| Objectionable taste or smell |
Hydrogen sulfide, corrosion, metals |
| Stained plumbing fixtures, laundry |
Iron, copper, manganese |
| Salty taste and seawater, or a heavily salted roadway nearby |
Chloride, total dissolved solids, sodium |
| Scaly residues, soaps don’t lather |
Hardness |
| Rapid wear of water treatment equipment |
pH, corrosion |
| Water softener needed to treat hardness |
Manganese, iron |
| Water appears cloudy, frothy or colored |
Color, detergents |
How can you fix the problem?
Below are some common contaminants and possible remediation techniques:
| Treatment Type |
Contaminants Treated |
| Activated Carbon Filtration |
Some organic chemicals, taste, trihamethanes, |
| Air Stripping |
Volatile organic compounds (higher concentrations), iron (with filtration), hydrogen sulfide, radon gas |
| Chlorinators |
Bacteria (coliform), microbiological contamination |
| Distillation |
All inorganic chemicals (i.e., nitrate, sodium chloride), some organic chemicals |
| Ion Exchange |
Hard water, manganese, some heavy metals, calcium, iron |
| Reverse Osmosis |
Certain organic chemicals, nitrates, dissolved solids/metals |
| Mechanical Filtration |
Turbidity, dirt, sediment, particulates |
| Bottled water |
Temporary solution to aesthetic problems & emergency situations |
| KDF-55 with pH adjustment |
Mercury |
| Ultraviolet Radiation |
Bacteria (coliform), microbiological contamination |