Your well and septic, handled
About half of Hunterdon County drinks from a private well and runs its own septic. Nobody sends you a reminder, so it's on you. Here's what to test and how often, what the state requires when you sell, where to get tested locally, and how to keep a septic system from becoming a very expensive surprise.
Updated July 2026
What to test your well for, and how often
| How often | What to test | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Every year | Total coliform bacteria (including E. coli) | The basic is-it-safe check. Cheap, fast, and the one test every well owner should never skip. |
| Every 5 years | Nitrate, arsenic, and VOCs | Arsenic occurs naturally in Hunterdon's geology. Nitrate matters most for infants and pregnancy. |
| Worth knowing | Uranium and gross alpha | Hunterdon is one of 12 NJ counties where the state specifically requires uranium testing at point of sale because of local rock. If you've never tested for it, one round is worth it. |
| If water stains or tastes off | Iron, manganese, pH | Staining and metallic taste, not health hazards. Low pH (under 6.5) is corrosive and can leach lead from old solder — that one is worth fixing. |
When you sell (the Private Well Testing Act)
The Private Well Testing Act is NOT an annual requirement. It triggers when a home on a private well is sold (and every 5 years for rentals on wells). At sale it requires a full panel — up to 43 parameters in Hunterdon, including coliform, nitrate, lead, arsenic, PFOA/PFOS, VOCs, and uranium — and both buyer and seller sign off on the results before closing. NJDEP estimates that full panel at roughly $1,200–$1,500, usually negotiated at closing.
Where this comes from: NJDEP Private Well Testing Act.
Where to get tested
Raritan Headwaters community well testing
Call: 908-234-1852
The nonprofit the county itself points residents to. Offices in Flemington and Bedminster, plus discounted community testing days in many townships. Basic kit (coliform + nitrate) runs about $60, with add-ons like lead, arsenic, and radon in the $25–$50 range — confirm current pricing when you call.
Using a private lab
NJ certifies private labs for drinking-water testing, and certifications change often enough that the state's own list is the only current one. Search 'Certified Laboratories' on NJDEP Data Miner, or call the NJDEP Office of Quality Assurance at 609-292-3950. Nearby certified labs include Environmental Compliance Monitoring in Hillsborough (908-874-0990) and Garden State Laboratories in Hillside (908-688-8900) — verify certification is current when you book.
NJDEP Data Miner (search "Certified Laboratories")
Hunterdon County Health Department — Environmental Health
Address: 314 State Rt. 12, Bldg 1, Flemington
Call: 908-788-1351
Email: health@co.hunterdon.nj.us
Well and septic permits, inspections, and certifications. A permit from this office is required before any septic repair, alteration, or new installation — before, not after.
Keeping your septic healthy
Pump the tank: Pump the tank every 3 to 5 years — the county's own guidance says at least every three. Households with garbage disposals or lots of people need the short end.
Inspect: Inspect every 1–3 years; systems with pumps or mechanical parts should be checked annually.
Warning signs something's wrong
- Pooling water or muddy soil over the tank or drainfield
- Toilets or sinks backing up on flush or laundry day
- A strip of suspiciously bright green grass over the drainfield
- Sewage odor outside or in the basement
Never flush or pour down the drain: Wipes, floss, hygiene products, cat litter, coffee grounds, paper towels, paint, pesticides, drain cleaner, oil, antifreeze. Hazardous stuff goes to the county's Hazardous Waste Clean-Up Days (908-788-1351), not down the drain.
Protect the tank and drainfield: Keep cars, pools, decks, and driveways off the tank and drainfield. Keep trees and shrubs off the disposal area. Point roof and sump drains away from it.
Where this comes from: NJDEP — Homeowner's Guide to Septic Systems, Hunterdon County Well & Septic Care guide.
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