Gross Alpha in Private Wells by County, New Jersey, 2002-2022
Indicator Report Data View Options
Why Is This Important?
Gross Alpha is a test that is performed to measure the overall radioactivity in drinking water. Naturally occurring radioactive elements emit alpha particles as they decay. Alpha radiation exists in soil, air, and water. Sampling of public and private wells that draw water from southern New Jersey's Cohansey aquifer has shown elevated levels of naturally occurring radioactivity. Exposure to radium over a long period of time is believed to increase one's lifetime risk of developing certain types of cancer.
Definition
Percent of tested private wells with gross alpha exceeding the maximum contaminant level of 15 picoCuries per liter (pCi/l)
Data Notes
**Results by county are suppressed when the number of tested wells was less than 10. Data obtained on May 10, 2023Data 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 gross alpha concentration exceeding the maximum contaminant level of 15 pCi/l in a specified period of timeDenominator:
Number of tested private wells in a specified period of time