Lebanon Committee adopts ordinance to defer private-well testing to state rules

Lebanon Township’s Committee unanimously adopted Ordinance No. 12-2024 on Oct. 16, 2024, changing the township’s Code so that regulation of potable water from private wells at the sale or transfer of property will be governed by the state Private Well Testing Act and its implementing rules.

The ordinance amends Chapter 380 (Water) to make clear that the state provisions at N.J.S.A. 58:12A-26 to 58:12A-37 and N.J.A.C. 7:9E-3.1 to 5.1 control testing and certification requirements for private wells when property is sold. The changes specify definitions, testing responsibilities, minimum contaminant levels, and processes for issuance of a township drinking water certificate when required by state law.

The committee voted to adopt the ordinance on a motion by Jay Wojcik, seconded by Brian Wunder; the minutes record a unanimous roll-call vote in favor. The ordinance text lists binding contaminant standards (for example, nitrate at 10.0 mg/L) and other procedural provisions, including that a drinking water certificate will be effective for six months and that the Board of Health reviews laboratory analyses.

Township officials said the amendment is intended to avoid conflicts between local code and the state regulatory framework. The ordinance will take effect after passage and publication as required by law.