Safe Drinking Water
DIVISION: Division of Water Supply
GENERAL PHONE NUMBER: (609) 292-5550
FAX NUMBER: (609) 292-1654
WEB SITE
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:
The Bureau of Safe Drinking Water (BSDW) is responsible for implementing the Federal and State Safe Drinking Water Acts and the New Jersey Private Well Testing Act (PWTA) Programs.
The main function of the BSDW is to provide water systems with support to ensure compliance with various requirements of the state and federal drinking water programs. This includes field visits and inspections as well as activities to improve and maintain water supply capacity.
The bureau also conducts technical evaluations of drinking waters issues, responds to water quality complaints, and coordinates emergency response and security programs for drinking water systems. In addition the bureau conducts outreach and continuing education programs as well as performing a wide range of review and inspection of drinking water systems.
Through the Source Water Assessment Program, the bureau has assessed all public water system sources in New Jersey. The program has determined how vulnerable a source is to potential contamination in eight contaminant categories: pathogens, nutrients, pesticides, volatile organic compounds, radionuclides, radon, inorganics, and disinfection-by-product precursors.
This bureau supports the New Jersey Drinking Water Quality Institute, which is responsible for the development of maximum contaminant levels (MCL) or standards for hazardous contaminants in drinking water as well as recommending these standards to the department.
In addition, the bureau prepares the annual violation report to the EPA, and coordinates the consumer confidence report rule activities. The bureau also maintains an inventory of those public water systems that fluoridate or are naturally fluoridated, and supports volatile organic compounds, synthetic organic compounds, and other drinking water rule vulnerability assessments.
The BSDW is also responsible for oversight of the Private Well Testing Act (PWTA). Under the PWTA, certain wells must be tested prior to a dwelling being sold or leased. The PWTA requires that the water supply from a potable well of a dwelling to be tested for specific drinking water contaminants whenever a property with a well is transferred by a contract of sale. Specifically, the Act applies to the contract of sale for a property that gets its drinking water from a private well located on the property, and the contract of sale for a 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 individuals daily for at least 60 days of the of the year. Landlords of property must also test their private well water supply once every five years for certain drinking water parameters and provide a written copy of the results to their tenants within certain timeframes. Using data acquired through the PWTA requirements, this bureau informs the appropriate county and local health agencies of any exceedances of drinking water standards so that the appropriate action(s) may be taken. The bureau provides information on water quality results to the public, and provides the test results information to other departmental programs.
MONETARY ASSISTANCE PROVIDED:
None
PERMITTING RESPONSIBILITIES:
None
PUBLICATIONS AVAILABLE:
The Division of Water Supply web site offers a variety of useful information related to the Water Quality Support and Source Water Evaluation Section including:
Laws and Regulations:
N.J.S.A. 58:12A-1 et seq. NJ Safe Drinking Water Act
N.J.A.C. 7:10 New Jersey Safe Drinking Water Act Rules
N.J.S.A. 58:12A-26 et seq. NJ Private Well Testing Act
N.J.A.C. 7:9E New Jersey Private Well Testing Act Rules
Add U.S.C. Title 42 300fFederal Safe Drinking Water Act
40 CFR National Primary Drinking Water Regulations - Part 141, 142 & 143
Monitoring Results and Publications
Initial Well Test Results for September 2002 - March 2003
Safe Drinking Water Act Violations 2002, published by the NJDEP, November 2003
Safe Drinking Water Act Violations 2001, published by the NJDEP, December 2002
Safe Drinking Water Act Violations 2000, published by the NJDEP, December 2001
Safe Drinking Water Act Violations 1999, published by the NJDEP, December 2000
Safe Drinking Water Act Violations 1998, published by the NJDEP, January 2000
Safe Drinking Water Act Violations 1997, published by the NJDEP, July 1998
Safe Drinking Water Act Violations 1996, published by the NJDEP, January 1998
New Jersey Drinking Water Quality Institute Maximum Contaminant Level
Recommendations for Hazardous Contaminants in Drinking Water, and the
corresponding Appendix A, both published for the NJDEP, September 26, 1994
New Jersey Drinking Water Quality Institute Maximum Contaminant Level
Recommendation for Perchlorate, October 7, 2005
The Division of Water Supply website offers a variety of useful information related to the Technical Evaluation and Security Program including:
Laws and Regulations:
N.J.A.C. 7:10 New Jersey Safe Drinking Water Act Rules
40 CFR National Primary Drinking Water Regulations - Part 141, 142 & 143
Public Health, Security, and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act
Guidance Documents:
NJ Guidance for Issuing a Boil Water Advisory
Potable Water Directions for Disinfecting a Well
FACTS: Cryptosporidium in Drinking Water
FACTS: Disinfection-By-Products in Drinking Water
FACTS: Lead in Drinking Water
FACTS: Mercury in Drinking Water
FACTS: Microorganisms in Drinking Water
FACTS: Nitrate and Nitrite in Drinking Water
FACTS: Pesticides in Drinking Water
FACTS: Volatile Organic Compounds in Drinking Water Perchlorate
Homeowners Guide
A North Jersey Homeowner's Guide to Radioactivity in Drinking Water: Uranium
A South Jersey Homeowner's Guide to Radioactivity in Drinking Water: Radium
A Homeowner’s Guide to Arsenic in Drinking Water
Emergency Disinfection of Drinking Water (USEPA)
Precautionary Measures for Water Systems Before, During, and After a Major Hurricane
Water Security (USEPA)
Forms and Templates:
Emergency Response Plan - Forward
Emergency Response Plan - Template - October 2004
The Division of Water Supply website offers a variety of useful information related to the Technical Support and Capacity Development Section including:
Laws and Regulations:
N.J.A.C. 7:10 New Jersey Safe Drinking Water Act
N.J.A.C. 7:10A Licensing of Water Supply and Wastewater Treatment System
Program Reports:
Report to the Governor (2005) - Capacity Development Program
Capacity Development Strategy
Capacity Development Program Milestones
Forms and Templates:
Operations Plan Template
Operator Certification and Training Guides & Applications
Operator Training Courses - Continuing Education
2005-2006 Operator Training Courses - Initial Certification
Examination Application for License To Operate (Form ADM-035)
Statement of Qualifications (Form ADM-035A)
Examination Application for License to Operate a Very Small Water System License Class - VSWS (Form ADM-368A)
Statement of Qualifications (Form ADM-368B)
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