Thinking about selling or buying a Moorestown home with a private well? Water quality can affect your timeline, negotiations, and peace of mind. You want a smooth closing and clear answers on what New Jersey requires. In this guide, you’ll learn what the law says, what gets tested in Burlington County, how the process works, typical timelines and costs, and what to do if results come back high. Let’s dive in.
What the law requires
When testing applies
If a Moorestown property’s drinking water comes from a private well, New Jersey’s Private Well Testing Act (PWTA) requires testing during a sale. Both buyer and seller must receive and review the report before closing. Closing cannot occur until that review happens, so plan testing early in your timeline. You can review a plain-language overview of the rule in this summary of the PWTA requirements for sales and leases in New Jersey real estate transactions here.
Who reviews results
PWTA sampling and reporting follow New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection procedures. Labs submit results electronically to the state through NJDEP’s E2 system, and health departments are notified when results exceed standards. You can read about the electronic reporting program on NJDEP’s E2 overview page.
What gets tested here
Core PWTA parameters
Statewide, PWTA testing includes bacteria, nitrate, lead, and a volatile organic compound scan. It also includes three secondary parameters: field pH, iron, and manganese. Results are compared to New Jersey or federal drinking water standards. A concise parameter summary is available in this PWTA program overview.
Burlington County additions
Burlington County has additional requirements. Mercury is required in the southern and coastal county group that includes Burlington, as summarized by this county-specific PWTA testing guide. Radiological screening has also been phased in by county under NJDEP rules, and Burlington has been identified among the areas where radiological testing applies in certain rule phases. See this practitioner summary of county testing requirements for context.
New Jersey added PFAS compounds to PWTA sampling statewide effective December 1, 2021. That means PFOA, PFOS, and PFNA are part of today’s standard real estate transaction testing in Moorestown. You can read about the state’s PFAS standards in this regulatory update on New Jersey’s PFAS rules.
How testing works
Who collects samples
A NJDEP-certified laboratory or its authorized sampler must collect the sample. Field pH must be taken on site. Samples must be collected as raw, untreated well water. If the home has a treatment system, the sampler will bypass it or take the sample before treatment.
Timing and costs
Most labs quote about 7 to 14 business days for a full PWTA package. Rush options may be available, but you should schedule early to protect your closing date. Pricing varies by lab and analyte list, but many Moorestown sellers and buyers see total costs in the approximate 800 to 1,200 dollar range. For typical turnaround times and package components, see this example of NJ real estate testing timelines and pricing.
Step-by-step process
- Confirm the home is on a private well.
- Book a NJDEP-certified lab and request the PWTA package.
- Make sure the sampler can access a raw-water tap and verify county-specific analytes.
- Wait for the lab to report results to you and submit to NJDEP.
- Review the report with the other party before closing and plan any follow-up.
If results exceed limits
Notifications and negotiations
If any contaminant exceeds a standard, the lab notifies the requester and the local health department, and the state receives the data. The PWTA is a consumer information law, so it does not force a seller to remediate before closing. Instead, you and the other party decide next steps, which might include treatment, a price credit, an escrow, or contract changes. NJDEP’s original program summary explains the notification and consumer-information focus here.
Some lenders may require additional well checks beyond PWTA, such as a well yield or potability verification. Government-backed loans often follow local health guidance but can set minimum well performance and safety expectations. Review your program’s requirements early. An FHA guidance excerpt is summarized in this overview of lender well-testing expectations.
Common fixes
- Bacteria: shock chlorination and re-sampling, or continuous disinfection.
- Metals or PFAS: point-of-entry or point-of-use treatment like activated carbon, ion exchange, or reverse osmosis, followed by a confirmation sample.
- VOCs or radiological: treatment depends on the specific contaminant and level; your lab report and local health department can guide options.
Local context and help
Some South Jersey communities have managed historic water quality concerns, which is why careful testing remains a smart step for private wells. For Moorestown-area questions, start with Burlington County Environmental Health. The department can explain local practices and answer well and septic questions. Find the team’s contact page here.
To confirm current reporting procedures, analyte lists, and where PWTA results go, review NJDEP’s E2 resources on the E2 overview page.
Quick checklists
Seller checklist
- Identify if your home is on a private well.
- Schedule PWTA sampling with a NJDEP-certified lab early.
- Ensure access to a raw-water sample point and note any treatment systems.
- Share the report promptly so the buyer can review before closing.
- Prepare for negotiations if any results exceed standards.
Buyer checklist
- Confirm the property uses a private well and that PWTA applies.
- Ask for the full lab report and read every page, including VOC and PFAS results.
- Check with your lender about any extra well tests or documents.
- If results exceed limits, request a plan: treatment, price credit, or escrow.
- Consider a post-treatment confirmation test before or soon after closing.
Buying or selling a Moorestown home with a private well does not have to be stressful. With the right timing, a certified lab, and clear negotiations, you can protect your health and your closing date. If you want a smooth plan from contract to keys, reach out to Maria Petrogiannis for local guidance and a tailored timeline.
FAQs
What is the PWTA for Moorestown home sales?
- New Jersey’s PWTA requires testing of private well drinking water during a sale, and both buyer and seller must review results before closing.
How long does NJ PWTA testing take for closing?
- Most labs need about 7 to 14 business days to deliver a full PWTA report, so schedule early to avoid delays.
Which PFAS are included in NJ PWTA testing?
- As of December 1, 2021, PWTA testing includes PFOA, PFOS, and PFNA statewide.
Who pays if a private well fails in a Moorestown sale?
- The law does not force remediation by the seller; payment and repairs are typically negotiated through credits, treatment, escrow, or contract terms.
Will my lender require more than PWTA in Moorestown?
- Some lenders may request extra items like well yield or potability confirmations, so check your loan program’s requirements early in the process.
