Transcript New Jersey Private Well Testing Act Vas Komanduri & Marc Ferko Office of Quality Assurance.

New Jersey
Private Well Testing Act
Vas Komanduri & Marc Ferko
Office of Quality Assurance
What is Private Well Testing
Act ?
• Private Well Testing Act (PWTA) is a new law.
The law requires homeowner wells to be tested in
NJ before the sale of property is effected
• The law requires testing before a property is
leased
• The Law went into effect September 14, 2002
• Tests shall be conducted for specific contaminants
What to test for PWTA?
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pH
Nitrates
Total Coliform
Arsenic (Required only for 10 counties in North and Central region)
Certain Metals (including Mercury in 9 Southern counties)
Volatile Organic Compounds, and
Gross Alpha Radioactivity(implemented in a phased
manner)
When is the Gross Alpha
Testing Effective?
• March 15, 2003
• Starts in Cumberland and Gloucester
counties
How Many Counties require
Gross Alpha Testing?
• Initially 2 Southern counties.
• 4 additional counties by September 2003.
• 6 additional counties in Southern and
Central by March 2004.
• In all 12 counties by March 2004.
What is the Approved Method
for Gross Alpha Analysis?
• 48-Hour Gross Alpha Testing is the
approved method for PWTA
• The Department is certifying Labs for the
method
What is 48-Hour Gross Alpha
Testing?
• Based on EPA 900.0 Method
• Is a Double Counting Method
• First counting must start within 36 to 48
Hours from sample collection
• If Gross Alpha >5pCi/L, count the same
planchet for a second time
48-Hour Gross Alpha contd..
• Second counting shall be 20 - 24 Hours
after first count
• Report second count data
• Use Th-230 alpha source for calibration of
counting efficiency of the gas proportional
system
Why 48-Hour Gross Alpha
Testing?
• Allows complete decay of short lived 222Rn
progenies
• Reduce contribution from unsupported
212Pbnearly by 80% to the Gross Alpha
Activity
SAMPLING
REQUIREMENTS
• Samples collected for the PWTA must be
collected by either a New Jersey Certified
Laboratory or a Laboratory Authorized
Representative.
• Samples must be tested for pH under PWTA, and
that must be done by a NJ certified Laboratory.
• Samples for PWTA must be collected and
Preserved in accordance with N.J.A.C 7:18
Regulations
SAMPLING Contd..
• Samples must be collected prior to any
water treatment
• If water treatment system is in use, the
system must be disconnected.
• If new well or no tap on the subject
property, collect sample at wellhead.
REPORTING
REQUIREMENTS
• The Laboratory shall report results within
five (5) business days after completion of
tests
• The Laboratory shall submit results
electronically to the Department.
Laboratory Certification
• The OQA certifications apply for the
following parameters under PWTA
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Sampling (1st Time offered)
48-hour Gross Alpha Testing(1st Time offered)
Chemical Testing
Microbiological Testing
CONTACTS
• PWTA Hotline: 1-866-4PW-TEST
• www.state.nj.us/dep/pwta/
• Office of Quality Assurance: (609) 292-3950