Applicability & General Requirements
	Collection & Analysis of Samples
	Interpreting Test Results & Subsequent Actions (including treatment)
	Drinking Water Definitions & Concepts

Applicability & General Requirements

Q1: What does the Private Well Testing Act, N.J.S.A. 58:12A-26 et seq. (PWTA) require?

A1: The Act requires that, when property with certain types of drinking water wells is sold or leased, the well water must be tested for contaminants. The results of the water testing must be reviewed by both the buyer and seller, or in the case of a leased property, by the lessee.

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Q2: What types of properties are subject to the testing requirement?

A2: The Act covers SALES of two types of properties, and LEASES of other properties. Testing is required for the following:

• SALE of any property that gets its drinking water from a private well located on the property, and
  
• SALE of any property that gets its drinking water from a well that has less than 15 service connections or that does not regularly serve an average of at least 25 people daily at least 60 days out of each year.
  
• Leasing of any property that gets its drinking water from a private well that isn't required to be tested under to any other State law.

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Q3: When in the real-estate sales process does testing have to happen? When the contract is signed? At the closing? What about rentals?

A3: The Act requires the following:

• Every contract of sale for a property subject to the Act must include a provision requiring the testing as a condition of the sale.
  
• A closing of the title of sale on a real property that is subject to the Act may not occur unless both the buyer and seller have received and reviewed a copy of the water test results, and have signed a paper certifying that they have received and reviewed a copy of the results.
  
• Every time a rental property subject to the Act is leased, a written copy of the most recent test results must be given to the lessee.

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Q4: When do the testing requirements take effect?

A4: Every contract of sale executed on or after the effective date of the statute, September 14, 2002 for property subject to the Private Well Testing Act is required to meet the testing requirements. Testing is not required for real estate transactions that were already under contract before the statute went into effect (September 14, 2002). The testing requirement for leased properties must be completed by March 14, 2004, and at least once every five years thereafter.

While testing is not required under the law for real estate transactions under contract prior to September 14, 2002, the DEP recommends that well water be tested once a year or in connection with a real estate sale. This testing provides important water quality information that people and their families should know.

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Q5: How much will the testing cost?

A5: Laboratories testing rates vary, depending on how hard it is to collect the sample, the location of the property in relation to the lab, and other factors. The DEP estimates that the average price will be between $450 and $650.

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Q6: What will happen if the testing is not done? Will the property sale be void?

A6: Testing of your well water is important to your family's health. If testing is not done, you and your family may face a health risk and not know it. You may also be subject to enforcement action.

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Q7: My property has public water for drinking, and also an on-site well used only for other purposes such as lawn watering. Does that well have to be tested?

A7: No. Only drinking water wells are subject. See FAQ #2 above.

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Q8: Does the testing requirement apply to drinking water wells at newly constructed residences?

A8: Yes, if the property is being sold or leased.

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Q9: What contaminants must the well water be tested for?

A9: That depends on where you live. All wells must be tested for the following contaminants: total coliform bacteria, iron, manganese, pH, all volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with established Maximum Contaminant Levels, nitrate, and lead. If total coliform bacteria are detected, a test must also be conducted for fecal coliform or E. coli. Private wells located in certain counties will also have to test for arsenic, mercury and 48-hour rapid gross alpha particle activity. Click here for a table showing all contaminants that must be tested.

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Q10: My county also requires testing of private wells. Which set of regulations do I follow: The county's or the State of New Jersey's?

A10: Both the county and state requirements must be met. If there is an overlap between the two, the more stringent of the two regulations will govern. Please check with your local health authority or municipal office for further information.

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Collection & Analysis of Samples

Q1: Who must collect the sample? May I do it myself?

A1: The sample must be collected by either an employee of a certified drinking water laboratory certified to collect PWTA samples; or by an authorized representative of such a laboratory. See the PWTA rules at N.J.A.C. 7:9E-1.2 (pdf format) for definitions of "certified laboratory" and "authorized representative."

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Q2: May a real estate agent collect water samples for analysis?

A2: If a real estate agent is a NJ "certified laboratory," as defined at N.J.A.C. 7:9E-1.2 (pdf format), an employee of a New Jersey certified laboratory, or an "authorized representative," as defined at N.J.A.C. 7:9E-1.2 (pdf format), the real estate agent may take samples for all contaminants except for pH. Samples for pH testing must be collected by an employee of a laboratory that is certified to test for pH, in accordance with N.J.A.C. 7:9E-1.2 (pdf format).

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Q3: I am a home inspector, and I hear that the PWTA rules require submittal of Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates for the location of each well. May I offer my customers GPS coordinate collection service for pay?

A3: Yes. Any person may collect GPS coordinates to be used by a laboratory in submitting well test results. Laboratories, realtors, home inspectors, and surveyors are examples of professionals who may choose to offer this service. However, the coordinates must be collected in accordance with the PWTA rules at N.J.A.C. 7:9E-3.1(a)1xi (pdf format) which refers to the DEP's standard requirements for GPS coordinates, found in the DEP Geographic Information Systems (GIS) rules at N.J.A.C. 7:1D, Appendix A.

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Q4: What kind of equipment do I need to meet the Department's GPS Data collection standards? Does the Department require or recommend certain brands or receiver models?

A4: The Department does not endorse nor recommend certain brands or models for the collection of GPS coordinates. However, only GPS equipment that can meet the performance criteria of the Department's GIS program is acceptable. A description of the GPS receiver requirements (pdf format) can be found on the DEP's Private Well Testing Act website. More detailed information on the Department's GIS program can be found at www.state.nj.us/dep/gis.

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Q5: I'm a reporting lab and want to report GPS data. What are the correct units for reporting GPS? Should these values contain a decimal point?

A5: Labs should be reporting the coordinates in New Jersey State Plane (survey) feet, referenced to the NAD83 horizontal datum. A coordinate in this system consists of an Easting (x) and a Northing (y). Valid values within the state have Eastings ranging from 192,000 to 660,000 and Northings ranging from 34,000 to 920,000. There is no need for decimals, as these values represent integer feet on the ground. None of the required GPS receivers (GIS types included) can accurately measure to within a tenth of a foot.

Caution: The New Jersey State Plane Coordinate System is not the same as the Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) system, which also uses the terms Eastings and Northings. Be certain you are using the correct system.

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Q6: Are latitude and longitude coordinates allowed when reporting GPS coordinates? What if my GPS unit records in latitude and longitude?

A6: Labs should not be reporting GPS coordinates in latitude and longitude, but rather only in the NJ State Plane Coordinate System, in survey feet units, referenced to the NAD83 datum (see above question). However, if latitude & longitude values are read from the GPS receiver's display a conversion is necessary before reporting. Make sure there are enough decimals when performing the conversion. Here is what is needed for an accurate conversion: Five (5) decimal places for Decimal Degrees (DD.ddddd) gets a coordinate to within 3 feet; three (3) decimal places for Degrees Decimal Minutes (DD MM.mmm) gets a coordinate to within 5 feet, and one (1)decimal place for Degrees Minutes Decimal Seconds (DD MM SS.s) gets a coordinate to within 9 feet.

Caution: If 4 decimal places are used for DD then the coordinate might be only within 30 ft. Similarly, if 2 decimal places are used for DDM then the coordinate might be only within 50 ft, if 0 decimal places are used for DMDS then the coordinate might be only within 90 ft.

Coordinates in other coordinate systems must be converted to New Jersey State Plane coordinates. GPS receivers designed for GIS data collection have the conversion utilities available in the processing software that comes with the receiver. There are also conversion utilities (CORPSCON) available on the worldwide web.

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Q7: Where can I find a list of New Jersey certified drinking water labs?

A7: Click here for a list of certified drinking water laboratories that conduct PWTA testing.

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Q8: Who pays for the sampling and testing?

A8: When there is a sale of property, the costs are negotiated between the buyer and the seller. When property is leased, the landlord must obtain and pay for the testing and provide the results to the tenant.

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Q9: Where in my house should the water sample be collected? What if I have a water softener or other treatment unit installed?

A9: The water sample must be collected on untreated water. If the plumbing in the building has a water softener, water filter, or other treatment unit installed, the sample must be collected before the water goes through the unit. If there is no treatment unit installed, the water may be taken from any cold water, non-aerated tap in the building.

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Q10: Previously, I had testing done for other reasons. May I use those test results to comply with the PWTA? For example, may I use test results from four months ago?

A10: If the sample was collected and tested in accordance with all the requirements of the PWTA rules at N.J.A.C. 7:9E (pdf format), the test results may be used to comply with the law for one year after the sample was collected, except for the coliform results, which may be used for six months after sample collection. Of course, if a new well were installed, the test results from the old well could not be used. See N.J.A.C. 7:9E (pdf format) for full details.

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Q11: Can more than one laboratory be used for the testing?

A11: Yes, as long as all the laboratories are certified by the NJDEP for the analysis of the particular parameters in accordance with N.J.A.C. 7:18 (pdf format). It is important to note that the party collecting the sample must be certified by the DEP for the collection for those PWTA parameters or the collector must be an authorized representative of a certified laboratory. The laboratories performing the analysis must be certified by the DEP for the analysis of that parameter. The list of laboratories certified by the DEP for the collection and/or analyses of PWTA parameters can be found at http://www.state.nj.us/dep/oqa/certlabs.htm. However, the PWTA rules at N.J.A.C. 7:9E-3.1(b) (pdf format) require that one lab coordinate and submit all the PWTA results to the DEP electronically.

Q12: May I test my well for additional parameters not required in the PWTA rules?

A12: Yes. The rules set minimum parameters. Anyone is free to test for more contaminants. If you choose to have additional tests, the DEP recommends using a New Jersey laboratory that is certified by the DEP for the analysis of that parameter in drinking water.

Q13: What is a 48-hour rapid gross alpha test?

A13: The 48-hour rapid gross alpha test identifies the presence of gross alpha particle activity in your well water. Alpha particles are emitted during the decay of certain radioactive substances. Gross Alpha particle activity includes radium, uranium and thorium, but most of the gross alpha radioactivity found in drinking water is from radium. New Jersey has adopted a protocol that requires the analysis of a gross alpha sample with 48 hours of sample collection. The 48-hour rapid gross alpha test includes the gross alpha particle activity captured from radium-224, an isotope with a half-life of 3.64 days, which is not captured using the standard USEPA method.

Q14: In New Jersey, where is gross alpha particle activity a concern?

A14: While gross alpha can be found in most rocks and soil in New Jersey, studies have shown that elevated levels of naturally occurring radioactivity appear mostly in southern New Jersey's Kirkwood-Cohansey aquifer. The Kirkwood-Cohansey aquifer is present in all or parts of the following counties: Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Monmouth, Ocean and Salem Counties. Many of the private wells located in these counties draw from the Kirkwood-Cohansey aquifer.

Q15: Who is required to test for gross alpha particle activity in New Jersey?

A15: To ensure adequate laboratory capacity, the PWTA Rule phased in gross alpha testing requirements. The PWTA Rule applies to real-estate transactions where the sales contract is executed on or after the effective date in particular counties. For properties subject to the PWTA, the schedule is as follows: For Cumberland and Gloucester Counties, contract(s) of sale that were signed on or after March 15, 2003; for Atlantic, Burlington, Camden and Salem Counties, contract(s) of sale that were signed on or after September 16, 2003; and for Cape May, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean Counties, contract(s) of sale that are signed on or after March 16, 2004.

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Q16: How do I arrange for a 48-hour rapid gross alpha test?

A16: There are currently several laboratories that are certified by the DEP to analyze for the 48-hour rapid gross alpha test. Although, most of the labs certified for the 48-hour gross alpha test are located outside New Jersey, arrangements can be made to have samples shipped to one of these labs for analysis. Many laboratories certified for sampling and/or analysis for other PWTA parameters can arrange to have one of these laboratories conduct the gross alpha test analysis.

For information regarding these and other certified laboratories, please see the following link: http://www.state.nj.us/dep/oqa/certlabs.htm.

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Interpreting Test Results & Subsequent Actions (including treatment)

Q1: Will the lab tell me if my water is clean?

A1: The laboratory is required to report the test results to the person who requested the test, on a New Jersey Private Well Water Test Reporting Form (pdf format) provided by the DEP. The reporting form will show how the well water results compare with State and Federal drinking water standards. For PWTA parameter standards, click here (pdf format). For all drinking water standards, click here.

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Q2: If the well water does not meet one or more of the drinking water standards, does that mean it's not safe to drink?

A2: Not necessarily. Some of the standards are based on aesthetics (secondary standards), while some are based on long-term health effects (primary standards). The fact that water tests above the standard would not necessarily mean that the water is unsafe to drink. For example, high levels of iron (secondary standard) in the water are generally not dangerous but do give the water an unpleasant taste. On the other hand, the presence of nitrates (primary standard) above the MCL may cause a condition called blue baby syndrome in infants. Learn more about New Jersey's PWTA standards by clicking here (pdf format) or the national drinking water standards by clicking here.

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Q3: If the well water does not meet one or more of the drinking water standards, can the property sale be completed? Does the water have to be treated before the property is sold or rented?

A3: The law does not prohibit the sale of property if the water fails one or more drinking water standards. The law mainly ensures that all parties to the real estate transaction know the facts about the well water so that they can make well-informed decisions. Of course, it is possible that mortgage companies or local health departments may require treatment of the water in some cases.

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Q4: If a well fails to meet one or more of the standards, who will pay to have the water treated?

A4: The law does not require treatment for well water that fails to meet standards. Therefore, if a well owner chooses to treat the water, they are responsible for paying for treatment, or for obtaining assistance in paying. In some cases the DEP or other government agencies may provide funding assistance for treatment for some types of drinking water contamination. The New Jersey Private Well Testing Form (pdf format), upon which test results are reported, will include information on any available assistance.

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Q5: If a well fails to meet one or more of the standards, will DEP make that information public?

A5: No. The laboratory reports test results to the person who requested the testing, to the DEP, and to the local health authority. Both the DEP and the local health authority are required to keep the address of tested wells confidential. The laboratory will provide a copy of the test results on the New Jersey Private Well Test Reporting Form to the person who requested the testing. In addition, the laboratory reports the water test results to the DEP electronically. The DEP in turn notifies the local health authority of test results that exceeded the standards. If analysis shows an exceedance of an acute parameter, such as coliform or nitrates, the laboratory, which analyses the water sample, notifies the local health authority directly. In some situations, the local health authority has the discretion to notify the reported presence of a PWTA parameter in a private well to nearby well owners to test for the parameter of concern. Under the law, the local health authority may not reveal the address or location of the impacted residence. Lastly, the DEP may provide general compilations of water test results data collected that may be identified by county and municipality or other appropriate areas of delineation.

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Q6: What are the types of home drinking water treatment devices available, and which are generally effective for specific contaminants?

A6: Chemical Treatment: There are generally three major types of home drinking water treatment devices available to consumers for removing chemical contaminants. These treatment devices include filters, distillers, and softeners. Filters, such as carbon or reverse osmosis, use different kinds of media to filter out contaminants from drinking water as the water passes through it. Distillers use a process where the water is heated and subsequently cooled to remove contaminants. Water softeners utilize a process known as ion exchange to remove contaminants from drinking water. Ion exchange uses reciprocal transfer of contaminant ions between the drinking water and a resin or other solid media to remove a contaminant. These devices are capable of removing a variety of contaminants that may be found in drinking water, but individually they may not provide all of the necessary treatment for all contaminants of concern.

Microbiological Treatment: Microbiological treatment can be achieved either through disinfection or physical removal. For microbiological disinfection, treatment devices such as ultra violet light (UV) or Chlorinators may be effective. Reverse osmosis can also be used to effectively treat water with microbiological contamination.

For more specific information regarding the effectiveness of these treatment devices, we recommend visiting the NSF International website at http://www.nsf.org/dwtu/. NSF International is a non-profit organization that provides information to consumers and ranks drinking water treatment devices for their inherent effectiveness for specific contaminants.

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Q7: How do I interpret the 48-hour rapid gross alpha testing results?

A7: Gross alpha particle activity in drinking water is measured in the standard unit of picocuries per liter (pCi/l). The State and Federal Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) standard for gross alpha particle activity in drinking water is 15 pCi/l. The 48-hour rapid gross alpha test does require a second gross alpha particle activity count to be conducted to determine if there is an exceedance of the MCL only if the first count is greater than 5 pCi/l. The following illustrates the degree of significance for gross alpha particle activity if detected and what, if any, appropriate action is recommended:

• If testing results show that gross alpha particle activity is greater than 15 pCi/l, then the DEP recommends water treatment be installed to reduce concentrations to below the standard.
  
• If testing results show gross alpha particle activity is greater than 5 pCi/l, but less than 15 pCi, then the NJDEP recommends testing for radium 226 and 228 (USEPA Method 903.0 and 904.0, respectively). If this additional testing shows that combined radium levels are above 5 pCi/l, then water treatment is recommended to reduce concentrations to below the standard.
  
• If testing results show gross alpha activity is less than 5 pCi/l, no further action is recommended.

For additional information concerning sampling and analysis for gross alpha particle activity, please contact the DEP's Office of Quality Assurance at (609) 292-3950.

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Q8: What can be done if gross alpha particle activity is detected in my potable well water?

A8: Several measures can be taken to reduce or eliminate radioactivity in your drinking water. The following specific options are recommended:

1. If available, consider connecting to a municipal water system.
   
2. Installing a point-of-entry treatment device, such as a water softener or ion exchange water treatment system. These are considered cost effective measures that can reduce the radioactivity in drinking water. However, if you are treating for the removal of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), the gross alpha particle activity should be treated prior to the VOC treatment (see note below).
   
3. Install a point-of-use water treatment device, such as ion exchange or reverse osmosis system. This can effectively treat the drinking water at the tap for drinking and food preparation.
   
4. Purchase bottled water for drinking and food preparation. However, consumers need to evaluate the long-term cost of this measure.
   
5. Consider either modifying your current well or possibly drilling a new well to acquire water from a deeper aquifer known to have either no or acceptable levels of radioactivity.

Note: water treatment devices, such as water softeners, and ion exchange and reverse osmosis units, must be maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's specification so they are continually effective. Furthermore, after installing one of these water treatment systems, it is recommended that you conduct another gross alpha test to verify that the installed treatment device is effectively working and reducing radioactivity to a satisfactory level. If you are currently using an activated carbon system to treat your well water, it is essential that you first treat for the removal of gross alpha particle activity. This is to prevent the accumulation of gross alpha particle activity within the carbon bed of the treatment device. Further information can be obtained by contacting your local health office to determine which type of treatment system may be appropriate for your home. Click here.

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Q9: If the well water does not meet one or more of the drinking water standards, what type of assistance from the State is available for treatment?

A9: Generally, homeowners are responsible for installation and maintenance costs that are incurred concerning their potable well water. However, there are two state programs that may be available to homeowners for financial assistance if specific eligibility requirements are met.

1. The Spill Compensation Fund Program (commonly known as "Spill Fund") administered by Environmental Claims Administration within the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection offers help to innocent parties suffering from direct or indirect damages resulting from the human-caused discharge of a hazardous substance. A property owner may file a claim for reimbursement for most of the expenses incurred to install a treatment device for a potable well or to connect to a public water supply due to a human-caused hazardous substance in the well water. For a list of PWTA parameters that may be eligible, click here (pdf format). A claimant has 1 year from the date he/she learns that the well is contaminated to file a claim. There are specific eligibility requirements and guidelines for filing claims with the Spill Fund. For more information, please contact the NJDEP-Environmental Claims Administration at 609-777-0101 or visit their website at www.state.nj.us/dep/srp/finance/eca.htm. You may write to the ECA: NJDEP-ECA/Spill Fund, P.O. Box 028, 401 E. State Street, Trenton, N.J. 08625-0028.
   
2. The New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA) has a Potable Water Loan Program that is available to owners of single family residences whose source of potable water exceeds the State of New Jersey's Primary Drinking Water Standards. In addition, the loan program covers iron and manganese although these contaminants do not have Primary Drinking Water Standards. For further information, please contact the NJHMFA Hotline at 1-800-NJHOUSE (1-800-654-6873) or they may be reached at: P.O. Box 18550, 637 South Clinton Avenue, Trenton, N.J. 08650-2085 or on the web at: www.state.nj.us/dca/hmfa/singfam/index.html#potable.

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Q10: Will the Spill Fund continue to pay for the operation and maintenance of units previously installed if the property is sold to a new owner?

A10: Spill Fund may continue to pay for the operation and maintenance of a treatment unit even if there is a new buyer/owner provided 1). There is an existing/active Spill Fund claim on file for that property, and 2). The well water is still contaminated above the related MCLs. The new owner must file a new claim, referencing the existing claim, and must meet all appropriate eligibility requirements.

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Q11: What if a prospective buyer discovers the well water is contaminated prior to closing on a property and there is not an "existing" Spill Fund claim for that property. Will the Spill Fund pay for the treatment costs if the prospective buyer files a Spill Fund claim?

A11: No. The Spill Fund will NOT pay for the costs associated with the treatment unit because the buyer's claim will not meet the Spill Fund's eligibility requirements due to the fact that the buyer can not file as the owner of the property until the contract of sale is executed. The Spill Fund will only pay if there is an existing (approved) claim on the property before the sale and the new owner files a new claim which also meets all other eligibility requirements of the Spill Fund program.

Q12: What is the current effective Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for Arsenic in potable well water?

A12: The NJDEP adopted a new drinking standard (MCL) to decrease long-term exposure to arsenic in drinking water. The effective date of this new MCL (5 ug/l or 5 ppb) was January 23, 2006, and all New Jersey drinking water supplies were required to comply with 5 ppb by January 23, 2006. This new regulation will provide added protection for all New Jersey residents.

Q13: My test results show a concentration for arsenic in my potable well water between 5 ppb and 50 ppb. Should I be concerned?

A13: Arsenic is a naturally occurring element found mostly in the Piedmont Region of New Jersey. It generally enters potable well water in these areas through natural processes. Arsenic may also have been released into the environment through human activities, such as smelting, arsenic pesticide use, and other industrial processes.

Currently, PWTA regulations do not require homeowners to test for arsenic nor to provide treatment if arsenic levels are found to be above the MCL. However, local or county health agencies may require compliance with drinking water standards (including arsenic), and homeowners are advised to contact their local health agency. Arsenic has been linked to several different adverse health effects, such as diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, nervous system damage, skin disorders and different forms of cancer. The DEP has developed a fact sheet concerning arsenic in drinking water that can be downloaded at the following webpage: http://www.state.nj.us/dep/dsr/arsenic/guide.htm. If you have additional questions concerning arsenic, please call us at 609-292-5550.

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Q14: What can I do to reduce my exposure to arsenic?

A14: When arsenic is tested, the results are expressed as "total arsenic". Of this total arsenic, there are generally two types (species) of arsenic that are found in well water in New Jersey, arsenate (As+5) and arsenite (As+3). Even though both species can be found in New Jersey, the arsenate (As+5) species generally dominates. However, since there is no simple and affordable test commercially available to determine which species is present, it is best to assume both species are present so that arsenic can be effectively removed from potable well water by treatment. There are treatment systems available that will remove both arsenic species from potable water. The DEP has conducted research to determine the most efficient, cost effective, user-friendly treatment technologies currently available and the following provides a description of technologies.

Selecting Treatment for Removing Arsenic from Private Wells

When choosing an arsenic treatment option, there are various criteria to be considered by the homeowner and treatment installer. There are several factors to consider when making this decision: the level of arsenic in your drinking water, other water quality characteristics which may require treatment (such as hardness, or the presence of other contaminants which may need to be removed), the effectiveness of the treatment option, and the cost to install the unit and maintain it. In some cases, it will be necessary to pretreat the water so that the arsenic is removed. A combination of two or more different types of treatment may be needed to address all water quality treatment concerns. Homeowners are encouraged to work with a reputable water treatment firm and obtain all required local permits. The following steps may be used as guidance for selecting the most appropriate arsenic treatment option for your home:

At levels below 5 ug/l:

No action is required because the water meets the regulatory standard.

At levels greater than the MCL (above 5 ug/l):

Option 1: Install a POU device to remove arsenic from the water at each faucet where water is used for drinking and cooking.

Option 2: Install a Point of Entry (POE) device to remove arsenic from all the water in the home to ensure that there is no exposure to arsenic via water in the home.

Footnotes:

1 If POU treatment at the kitchen sink is used, the kitchen tap should be the only source of water used for drinking or cooking. If water may be used for drinking in other rooms of the home (e.g., at a bathroom sink), either a POU unit should be installed at each potential drinking water tap in the home, or a POE whole-house treatment system should be used.

2 Adsorption includes treatment by materials that adsorb arsenic. The most effective adsorptive medias that have been tested by NJDEP include granular ferric oxide, zirconium, and titanium. These systems remove both As3 and As5 species. Arsenic water treatment research is continuing in New Jersey and around the globe. New arsenic treatment technologies may be developed in the years ahead. For the latest on arsenic water treatment see http://www.nj.gov/dep/pwta/Arsenic_Treatment.pdf

3 Reverse osmosis is not effective in removing all arsenic species. When arsenic is tested, the results are expressed as "total arsenic". Of this total arsenic, there are generally two types (species) of arsenic that are found in well water in New Jersey, arsenate (As5)