SEPTICS AND WELLS Most homes in Saddle River depend on their own private well for a drinking water supply and an individual underground sewage disposal system (septic system) to dispose of sewage. It is important to monitor and maintain both of these systems. Following is information on testing your well water and maintaining your sewage disposal system. Potable Wells: The New Jersey Private Well Testing Act, N.J.S.A. 58:12A-26 et seq. (PWTA) requires that, when property with certain types of drinking water wells is sold or leased, the well water must be tested for contaminants. The results of the water testing must be reviewed by both the buyer and seller, or in the case of a leased property, by the lessee. Homeowners are encouraged to periodically test their wells to ensure continued integrity of your drinking water supply. The private well testing act requires that homes in Bergen County be tested for the following contaminants: total coliform bacteria, fecal coliform bacteria (E-coli), nitrate, iron, manganese, pH, volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), lead, arsenic and mercury. Following are the names of a few laboratories that are listed on the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) web site as being certified to test drinking water. No endorsements are intended. Aqua Pro-Tech 1275 Bloomfield Avenue Fairfield, NJ 07004 1-973-227-0422 www.aquaprotechlabs.com Garden State Laboratories 410 Hillside Avenue Hillside, NJ 07205 1-800-273-8901 www.gslabs.com QC Laboratories 196 Paterson Avenue E Rutherford, NJ 07073 201-729-1907 www.qclaboratories.com

The names of other NJDEP laboratories certified for drinking water analysis can be found by using the NJDEP “Data Miner” web page which is at the following address: http://datamine.state.nj.us/DEP_OPRA/OpraMain/categories?category=Certified+Laboratories Additional information about the Private Well Testing Act may be found at the following NJDEP web site address: www.state.nj.us/dep/pwta/pwta_start.htm UNDERGROUND SEWAGE DISPOSAL / SEPTIC SYSTEMS The Saddle River Board of Health urges local property owners to protect their investments by pumping their septic tank every 3 years. Most of the buildings in Saddle River depend on underground septic tank sewage disposal systems to manage domestic sewage. These types of systems collect sewage solids in the septic tank. If the solids are not removed from the septic tank by pumping on a periodic basis, they overflow the tank and are pushed out into the drainage field, often clogging and causing permanent damage to the field. Repairs to the clogged drainage fields or seepage pits can cost thousands of dollars to repair. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection publishes a pamphlet on Septic System Care which is available at the Borough Hall and at the following web site address: www.state.nj.us/dep/dwq/guides/septicmn.pdf FREQUENTLY USED WELL AND SEPTIC LINKS Homeowners Guide to Arsenic in Drinking Water www.state.nj.us/dep/dsr/arsenic/guide.htm Homeowner’s Guide to Perchlorate in Drinking Water www.state.nj.us/dep/watersupply/perchlorate_guide_11_1_2005.doc Drinking Water Contaminant Fact Sheets for Lead, Mercury, Nitrates, Volatile Organics and Disinfection By Products www.state.nj.us/health/eoh/hhazweb/edmat.htm#Chemicals