Well Water Testing for Califon Residents

Califon Borough, NJ – What’s in your water? This spring, in an effort to protect community health, Califon Borough will partner with nonprofit clean water advocate Raritan Headwaters to offer well water testing to residents at below-market cost. Those drinking municipal water can test for lead contamination that may stem from older pipes.

Residents can purchase water sample collection kits at the HCESC Hoffman’s Crossing Campus, at 37 Hoffmans Crossing Road, Califon, on March 8 from 6:00 PM to 8 PM. Water samples must be dropped off at the Califon Borough Municipal Building on Monday, March 13 from 7:00 to 10:00 AM. Test results will be available about two weeks later.

“We’re pleased to partner with Califon, and we strongly encourage everyone with a private well to have their water tested,” said Cindy Ehrenclou, executive director of the Bedminster-based Raritan Headwaters. “It’s better to know what’s in your drinking water than not know. If a contaminant is detected, measures can be taken to remove it.”

Raritan Headwaters is the “watershed watchdog” for a 470-square-mile area in Hunterdon, Somerset and Morris counties, comprising the drainage area for the North and South Branches of the Raritan River. Eighty percent of the residents of this region – about 320,000 people – obtain their drinking water through wells.

Well water pollutants found in the region are coliform bacteria, nitrate, arsenic, lead, iron, radon and volatile organic compounds. Sources of contamination include failing septic systems; chemicals like fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides; and naturally-occurring contaminants.

Raritan Headwaters is offering a “basic kit” for coliform bacteria and nitrate for just $40 during this special event to celebrate Groundwater Awareness Week. Califon Residents can also test for other potential contaminants at an additional cost including lead for $25. A free presentation on groundwater will be given by Mara Tippett, Raritan Headwaters’ Well Testing Program Manager at 6:30pm.

Raritan Headwaters recently completed a 30-year analysis of well water tests in the region, which showed an increase in arsenic levels in several towns. Concentrations of nitrate also increased, and the percentage of wells that failed for coliform bacteria showed a slight increase.

Residents who aren’t able to take advantage of Califon’s community well test program can contact Mara Tippett, Raritan Headwaters’ well test manager, anytime throughout the year to arrange to pick up a test kit in Bedminster or Flemington. She can be contacted at 908-234-1852, ext. 401 or welltesting@raritanheadwaters.org.

For more information about Raritan Headwaters and its programs and preserves, go to www.raritanheadwaters.org

Last modified: April 3, 2022