Department of Health and Human Services
Potable Water

The Health Department issues permits for new and replacement wells and for well deepenings. It also issues permits for well pump and well line installations and performs inspections on the well lines. Water testing will be performed by VTHD for newly drilled or deepened wells.

Applications for permits to drill new or replacement wells or to deepen an existing well must be made by a NJ licensed well driller. A permit from the NJ State DEP is also required (the well driller will apply for this State permit). The permit application for new and replacement wells must include a map of the site showing where the well is to be drilled and any nearby septic systems. Wells must be 100’ from any septic drainage fields but in some cases this distance can be reduced to 50' for newly drilled wells. Permits to deepen existing wells should include a drawing of the well's location on the property.

Hydrofracturing of the well is not considered an alteration of the well, and although it must be performed by a licensed well driller or pump installer, a well permit is not required.

Permits are also available for houses hooked up to summer only water systems whose owners wish to drill a well. A NJ licensed Professional Engineer must test the septic system to determine if the drainage field can accept year round water use and does not pose a pollution hazard. If it cannot pass this test a septic system meeting Health Department alteration standards must be installed.

Permits must be obtained for well pump and well line installations. The application must be signed and all work must be performed by a NJ licensed well driller or well pump installer. The application needs to include technical information such as the well yield, pump size and other information which the driller or pump installer must provide.

Inspections are performed on all well line installations. This is to insure that the well line will be buried below the frost line, which is 42", and that the line is set in sand. This sand must be at least 6" above and below the well line. The well line is also checked to see that it will maintain pressure without leaking. The connection into the well casing is checked to ensure it is water tight. The hydropneumatic tank is checked to ensure it is sized properly according to the code.

The cost of a one laboratory test of water from new, replacement or deepened wells is included in the permit fee. The water sample may be taken by the Health Department after all well line and plumbing inspections are approved. Also, the system must be disinfected with chlorine and purged prior to taking the water sample. Contact the VTHD for information on the sanitizing needed to be done prior to water collection and an appointment for the Health Department to take the sample. The items tested and the maximum allowed levels are as follows:

total coliform bacteria = 0
nitrate = 10 parts per million (ppm)
iron = 0.3 ppm
manganese = 0.05 ppm
hardness = 250 ppm
chloride = 250 ppm
color = 10 units
turbidity = 5 units
pH = between 6.5 & 8.5

If re-testing is needed a cost of $25 per sampled will be charged.

The Health Department will sample water where a member of a household is sick if a doctor provides a note that he/she believes the illness may be caused by drinking water. Water tests are also taken if a Health Department inspector can detect a problem with the water which he/she believes is due to a contaminant entering the water.

The Health Department recommends that you test your water for total coliform bacteria on a yearly basis. Contact a private laboratory to discuss their fees and procedures for collection.

Any complaints of possible well contamination are investigated by the Health Department personnel. If you have a concern regarding this or any other questions about wells or drinking water feel free to contact the Department during the Municipal Center's normal business hours.