Does Your Home Use Well Water? Test It Annually, Ocean County Reminds

OCEAN COUNTY, NJ — Ocean County residents who have private wells for their drinking water are reminded that it is "extremely important that you have it tested regularly for quality, to ensure the water you are drinking and bathing in is safe," according to a reminder from the Ocean County Health Department.

The reminder notes that as a homeowner or property owner, responsibility for servicing, maintenance and testing belongs to the homeowner.

"Ocean County Ordinance 94-1 also requires full testing and certification by this agency for drinking water standards in the following situations: 1) a real estate transaction; 2) prior to rental in a residence or business served by a private, potable well; and 3) prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy, if required by the municipality,"
the reminder said.

Landlords are required by the ordinance to have the water tested. Once tested and all required drinking water parameters have passed safe drinking standards, the well system is certified by the county health department prior to occupancy.

The testing must be done any time there is a new tenant, or every five years if there is no change in tenants — and it applies to both residential and commercial rentals, the health department said.

Certification of the water system by the health department is good for 6 months from the date of the test.

"Even if you had your well tested in the past and no contaminants were found, it is advisable that you have your well tested periodically," the health department said. "Should contaminants be found in this testing, a report of the found contaminant should be forwarded to this agency."

"The Ocean County Health Department strongly recommends that anyone with a private well should have it tested annually for bacteria and nitrates, and at least periodically for the full range of contaminants required by the Private Well Testing Act (NJSA 58:12A-26 et seq)," the department said.

Read more:

• Ocean County Ordinance 94-1
• Literature concerning private drinking water wells.
• NJDEP drinking water safety information
• Certified Drinking Water Labs
• Importance of regular well testing