Skip directly to searchSkip directly to the site navigationSkip directly to the page's main content

Arsenic in Private Wells by County, New Jersey, 2002-2023

Indicator Report Data View Options

Arsenic in Private Wells by County, New Jersey, 2002-2023

Atlantic
Bergen
Burlington
Camden
Cape May
Cumberland
Essex
Gloucester
Hudson
Hunterdon
Mercer
Middlesex
Monmouth
Morris
Ocean
Passaic
Salem
Somerset
Sussex
Union
Warren

Base Map

Overlays

Labels

Choropleth

×

Percentage of Private Wells Tested Exceeding MCL

30 km
20 mi
Leaflet | © OpenStreetMap contributors
Show coordinatesCenter map here
Zoom inZoom outReset zoom
Cancel
CountyAtlanticBergenBurlingtonCamdenCape MayCumberlandEssexGloucesterHudsonHunterdonMercerMiddlesexMonmouthMorrisOceanPassaicSalemSomersetSussexUnionWarren0.0%5.0%10.0%15.0%20.0%Percentage of Private Wells Tested Exceeding MCLArsenic in Private Wells by County, New Jersey, 2002-2023
CountyPercentage of Private Wells Tested Exceeding MCLWells Exceeding MCLWells TestedFootnotes
Atlantic10.1%22,609
Bergen29.3%3253,489
Burlington30.3%144,248
Camden40.0%01,238
Cape May50.3%51,743
Cumberland60.4%143,208
Essex711.3%26230
Gloucester80.3%93,350
Hudson9***
Hunterdon1015.7%2,11513,433
Mercer1117.8%6093,412
Middlesex123.9%471,192
Monmouth130.4%82,002
Morris141.8%23212,871
Ocean150.2%52,329
Passaic161.1%635,747
Salem170.3%61,856
Somerset1816.2%1,1857,315
Sussex191.9%19210,279
Union200.0%083
Warren211.9%1005,313
  • ***The count has been suppressed because the number of events is too small for publication or could be used to calculate the number in a cell that has been suppressed.

Why Is This Important?

Arsenic is a naturally-occurring element in the earth's crust, and trace amounts can be found in geologic formations and aquifers in parts of New Jersey. Arsenic may also be found in soils as a result of past use of arsenic-containing pesticides and wood preservatives.

Arsenic has been classified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) as a known human carcinogen. Ingestion of large amounts of inorganic arsenic is associated with increased risk of several types of cancer, including skin, lung, liver, kidney, and urinary bladder. Other potential effects of ingesting large amounts of arsenic include diarrhea, thickening and/or discoloration of the skin, diabetes, and heart disease.

Definition

Percent of tested private wells with arsenic concentration exceeding the maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 5 micrograms of arsenic per liter

Data Notes

***Results by county are suppressed when the number of tested wells was less than 10.

Testing for arsenic in private wells began in Sussex and Warren counties in March 2008.

In January 2006, the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for arsenic in New Jersey was reduced from 50 micrograms per liter to 5 micrograms per liter.

Data Source

Private Well Testing Act Data, Division of Water Supply and Geoscience, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
(https://njdep.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=826ec9fae77543caa582a787d5f088e7)

How the Measure is Calculated

  • Numerator:

    Number of tested private wells with arsenic concentration exceeding the maximum contaminant level of 5 micrograms of arsenic per liter in a specified period of time

  • Denominator:

    Number of tested private wells in a specified period of time

Related Risk Factors Indicators:

Health Topic Pages Related to: Arsenic in Private Wells

Indicator Data Last Updated On 11/27/2024, Published on 11/27/2024
Environmental Public Health Tracking Project, New Jersey Department of Health, PO Box 369, Trenton, NJ 08625-0369, e-mail: nj.epht@doh.nj.gov (https://www.nj.gov/health/epht)