Learning Objectives: You will learn why it is important to test well water You will learn about regional contamination issues specific to Hopewell Township You will learn about well testing procedures

UL Offers DrinkWell™ Water-Testing Service to Private Well Owners. (2004). Journal of Environmental Health, 67(4), 42. Retrieved from Academic Search Complete database. United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2004). Understanding the safe drinking water act. Retrieved April 11, 2010, from 53 Million Americans rely on well water supply their homes Homeowner’s need to test their own water The Federal Safe Drinking Water regulations that ensure safe drinking water DO NOT apply to private wells!

Hopewell Township 12,600 rely on well water in the Valley In 2001, the Township did a water study. The study shows residents use about: 1, 233, 333 Gallons a day 97.9 Gallons per Person Each Day M2 Associates. (2001) Evaluation of groundwater resources of hopewell township, mercer county, new jersey. Retrieved April 18, 2010 from, United States Census Bureau. (2000). Fact sheet. Retrieved April 18, 2010 from, well+Township&_state=04000US34&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=010&_submenuId=factsheet_1&ds_name=DEC_2000_SAFF&_ci_nbr =null&qr_name=null&reg=null%3Anull&_keyword=&_industryhttp://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/SAFFFacts?_event=ChangeGeoContext&geo_id=06000US &_geoContext=&_street=&_county=Hopewell+Township&_cityTown=Hope well+Township&_state=04000US34&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=010&_submenuId=factsheet_1&ds_name=DEC_2000_SAFF&_ci_nbr =null&qr_name=null&reg=null%3Anull&_keyword=&_industry=

Hopewell Has Well Water Problems Some are Naturally Occurring Others are Man - Made

Underground Storage Tanks (USTs) Oil is the only home heating fuel source for many residents & tanks were often buried in the past The Problem Is Tanks are SteelSteel RustsRusty Tanks LEAK!! New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. (2010). DEP dataminer. Retrieved April 18, 2010 from, Currently Hopewell Township has 39 known contaminated sites and 2 pending

Underground Storage Tanks (USTs) cont. Tanks Leak: Volatile Organic Compounds Trichloroethylene Perchloroethlyene Trihalomethanes Which is Linked To: Cancers Leukemia Liver & Bladder Cancer Tumors Cohn, P., Bove, F., Klotz, J., Berkowitz, M., & Fagliano, J., (1993). Drinking water contamination and the incidence of leukemia and non-hodgkin’s lymphoma. Retrieved April 18, 2010 from, New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services. (1997) Facts: volatile organics in drinking water. Retrieved April 17, 2010 from,

Septic Systems When Functioning Properly, they Treat and Dispose of Wastewater, but When they Fail Well Water can be Polluted By… BACTERIA VIRUSES PARASITES = NITRATES Tuthill, A., Meikle, D.B., Alavanja, M., (1998) Coliform bacteria and nitrate contamination of well in major soils of Frederick, Maryland. Journal of Environmental Health, 60. Retrieved April 18, 2010 from, ?docId=

Arsenic & Uranium Naturally Occurring Connecticut Department of Public Health. (2006). Uranium in drinking water. Retrieved Sept 23, 2010 from, M2 Associates. (2001) Evaluation of groundwater resources of hopewell township, mercer county, new jersey. Retrieved October 1, 2010 from, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. (2009). A homeowners guide to arsenic in drinking water. Retrieved October 12, 2010 from, Absorbed from Surrounding Rock No Odor or Taste Carcinogenic Linked to Liver and Bladder Cancers

Why You Want to Test Children or Grandchildren You and your partner Pets

Water Testing Laboratories Tips for Homeowners: Check for Current NJDEP Certification Have Laboratory Take Sample Shop for Best Price – You Would Be Surprised!

When to Test Yearly Bacteria & Nitrates Every 3 – 5 Years LeadIron ArsenicManganese Volatile Organic CompoundsRadionuclides New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services. (2002) Facts: Private Well Testing. Retrieved October 18, 2010 from,

Conclusion Wells are a main source of water for Hopewell Township Residents There are many sources of contamination that can adversely effect the water quality. Testing the water is the only way to ensure safe water. A New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Certified Laboratory should be used for testing and laboratory should take sample. Regular testing schedule is important to detect changes in water quality. Local health department is able to help with questions or concerns.

References Cohn, P., Bove, F., Klotz, J., Berkowitz, M., & Fagliano, J., (1993). Drinking water contamination and the incidence of leukemia and non-hodgkin’s lymphoma. Retrieved April 18, 2010 from, Connecticut Department of Public Health. (2006). Uranium in drinking water. Retrieved April 17, 2010 from, M2 Associates. (2001) Evaluation of groundwater resources of hopewell township, mercer county, new jersey. Retrieved April 18, 2010 from, New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services. (1997) Facts: volatile organics in drinking water. Retrieved April 17, 2010 from, New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services. (2002) Facts: Private Well Testing. Retrieved October 18, 2010 from, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. (2009). A homeowners guide to arsenic in drinking water. Retrieved April 18, 2010 from, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. (2010). DEP dataminer. Retrieved April 18, 2010 from, Tuthill, A., Meikle, D.B., Alavanja, M., (1998) Coliform bacteria and nitrate contamination of well in major soils of Frederick, Maryland. Journal of Environmental Health, 60. Retrieved April 18, 2010 from, ?docId= UL Offers DrinkWell™ Water-Testing Service to Private Well Owners. (2004). Journal of Environmental Health, 67(4), 42. Retrieved from Academic Search Complete database. United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2004). Understanding the safe drinking water act. Retrieved April 11, 2010, from

Contacts Hopewell Township Health Department - General Hopewell Township Health Department – Contact Presentation Designer Well Owner Information New Jersey Dept. of Environmental Protection – Certified Laboratories Lists Water Treatment System Information