Buying a Home with a Private Well
As a buyer, PWTA testing gives you certified information about the well before closing — here's how to use it well.
Short answer: Confirm PWTA sampling is scheduled through a certified lab or collector, ask for the full analyte list and results, and review them alongside your own questions to the seller about the well's history — before treating the results as your only source of information.
What to expect
- PWTA sampling is arranged, generally before any treatment system on the well.
- A certified lab or collector performs the sampling — not you or the seller.
- Results are reported to the required parties and NJDEP.
- Review results against comparison values, understanding that a single sample reflects one point in time.
Questions to ask the seller
- How old is the well, and is there a well permit or completion record available?
- Has there been any past treatment system, and if so, what is it treating and how is it maintained?
- Have there been any past water-quality issues or complaints?
- Is there a record of prior testing beyond the current PWTA results?
Common mistakes
- Treating one PWTA sample as guaranteeing water quality indefinitely
- Not asking about an existing treatment system's maintenance history
- Skipping a broader test panel beyond the minimum PWTA analytes if you have specific concerns
When professional help is appropriate
A real-estate attorney or agent should handle contract and closing questions. A well contractor can evaluate the physical well and any existing treatment equipment once you're past the testing stage.
Official sources
- NJDEP Private Well Testing Act program
Related
Can I request additional testing beyond the PWTA minimum?
Yes — you can arrange additional testing through a certified lab if you have specific concerns not covered by the required PWTA analyte list, though this is a separate cost and process from the mandatory testing.
This page provides general educational information and is not legal, contract, or closing advice.
Last reviewed: 2026-07-11. Report a correction.