South Jersey Water Looks Clean. Arsenic in Cherry Hill’s Drinking Water Doesn’t Care What It Looks Like.
Cherry Hill is a well-maintained, well-resourced community with a water supply that meets federal treatment standards before it reaches homes. For most Cherry Hill residents on municipal water, arsenic is genuinely a lower-priority concern than in northern New Jersey’s crystalline bedrock counties — South Jersey’s sedimentary geology produces lower naturally occurring arsenic concentrations in groundwater. But lower risk is not zero risk. And for any Cherry Hill homeowner on a private well, or for anyone who wants to understand the full arsenic picture for Camden County’s water, the question still deserves a direct answer rather than a regional assumption. A professional water test that specifically includes arsenic is the only way to get one.
How Arsenic Enters South Jersey Groundwater — and Why the Risk Profile Differs from the North
Arsenic in groundwater is primarily a geological phenomenon — water moving through arsenic-bearing rock formations dissolves trace amounts of the element and carries it into the aquifer. New Jersey’s arsenic risk follows its geology. The crystalline bedrock zone of northern New Jersey — Morris, Hunterdon, Sussex, Somerset, and Warren counties — produces the highest naturally occurring arsenic concentrations in New Jersey’s private well water. Camden County’s sedimentary geology produces lower concentrations, which is why the baseline arsenic risk for Cherry Hill well owners is lower than for counterparts in Morristown or Princeton.
That distinction matters — but it doesn’t mean Camden County groundwater is arsenic-free. The sedimentary formations of South Jersey contain arsenic at lower but still present concentrations, and some private wells in Camden County have tested above the federal action level of 10 parts per billion. The variation between individual wells within the same geological zone is meaningful enough that a specific well test tells you more than a regional comparison. Nearby Haddonfield, Marlton, Voorhees, and Pennsauken homeowners on private wells share the same South Jersey geological context.
Municipal Water Customers vs. Private Well Owners — Where the Protection Applies
Cherry Hill’s municipal water supply draws from the Delaware River and is treated by Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority before distribution. The utility tests for arsenic, meets the federal standard, and publishes annual water quality reports. For the majority of Cherry Hill homeowners on municipal supply, arsenic in the drinking water is addressed at the treatment level.
For any property on a private well — which exists in portions of Cherry Hill and the surrounding area — the regulatory protection disappears. No federal or state requirement mandates private well arsenic testing. No government program monitors private wells on homeowners’ behalf. Whatever arsenic the local geology produces in the groundwater reaches the private well tap unchanged. The homeowner is entirely responsible for knowing and acting.
The Health Concern — Why Chronic Exposure Is the Real Risk
Arsenic’s effects on health are chronic, not acute. There’s no immediate reaction, no taste or smell that signals a problem, and no early symptom that would lead a homeowner to connect their water to a health concern. Long-term exposure to arsenic in drinking water at elevated concentrations has been associated with increased risk of bladder, lung, and skin cancers — the EPA classifies arsenic as a known human carcinogen. Cardiovascular and neurological effects have also been associated with prolonged arsenic exposure. For families with young children or during pregnancy, developmental and cognitive considerations add additional weight to the testing question. The absence of obvious symptoms is not evidence of safety. Testing is the only evidence of safety.
Arsenic Risk by Scenario — Cherry Hill Area Homeowners
| Scenario | Risk Level | Recommended Action |
|---|---|---|
| Private well in Camden County sedimentary geology | Lower to moderate — South Jersey geology produces less arsenic than northern NJ | Test as part of any comprehensive well baseline |
| Cherry Hill municipal water customer | Lower — utility treatment and mandatory testing apply | Review annual water quality report; test if concerned |
| Well water, never tested for arsenic | Unknown — no baseline established regardless of regional risk | Test now; arsenic requires a specific laboratory analysis |
| Home purchase with private well | Unknown — prior testing may be outdated | Test before or immediately after closing |
| Well near agricultural land or former industrial sites | Potentially higher — non-geological arsenic sources possible | Test with full contaminant screen including arsenic |
What Testing Involves and What to Do With the Results
An arsenic test requires a water sample collected at the tap and submitted to a certified laboratory for specific arsenic analysis — not included in any standard water quality panel, must be explicitly requested. Our professional water testing page covers what a comprehensive assessment includes. If arsenic is found at levels warranting action, our arsenic removal page covers treatment options. For the broader water quality context in Cherry Hill, our Cherry Hill water testing page covers the full range of local concerns. Our full New Jersey service area covers communities statewide.
Frequently Asked Questions — Arsenic in Drinking Water in Cherry Hill, NJ
Is South Jersey’s arsenic risk meaningfully lower than northern New Jersey?
Yes — Camden County’s sedimentary geology produces lower naturally occurring arsenic concentrations than the crystalline bedrock counties of northern New Jersey. But “lower” is relative. Arsenic has been detected above the federal action level in South Jersey private wells. The variation between individual wells means testing your specific well is the meaningful data point, not regional comparisons.
Does the Delaware River source water carry arsenic concerns?
The Delaware River carries agricultural and industrial inputs, but arsenic from the river source at levels reaching municipal customers is addressed by treatment that meets federal standards. For municipal customers, the river source arsenic concern is managed at the utility level. For private well owners drawing from local groundwater rather than the river supply, the geological source is the relevant consideration.
Can arsenic be detected by taste or smell?
No. Arsenic at health-relevant concentrations is completely undetectable without laboratory testing. Water containing arsenic above the federal action level is indistinguishable from clean water by any sensory measure.
Is arsenic included in a standard water quality panel?
No. It must be specifically requested as a separate laboratory analysis. If your previous water test didn’t explicitly list arsenic as a tested parameter, you haven’t tested for it.
How quickly can testing be arranged?
We’re typically able to schedule within a few days. Sample collection at your home takes under an hour, and laboratory results return within one to two weeks.
Find Out Whether Arsenic Is in Your Cherry Hill Home’s Water
If you’re on a private well in Camden County and haven’t specifically tested for arsenic — even understanding that South Jersey’s geological baseline is lower than the north — this is the question that deserves a direct answer. We serve Cherry Hill and all of Camden County. Call us at (732) 357-1988 or reach out online.
