Community Corner

Water May Taste Differently in 6 New Jersey Counties

Customers may notice a temporary increase in the taste and smell of chlorine in their water.

Residents in six New Jersey counties may notice a difference in their drinking water later this month when free chlorine is added to the supply, announced New Jersey American Water Tuesday.

As part of an annual pipeline maintenance program, the Raritan-Millstone Water Treatment Plant in Bridgewater and the Canal Road Water Treatment Plant in Somerset will temporarily change the water treatment process from chloramine (a combination of ammonia and chlorine) to free chlorine, according to a release.

The change is scheduled to begin Jan. 21 and last through March and will affect the following municipalities: Bedminster, Belle Meade, Bound Brook, Branchburg, Bridgewater, Chester, Clark, Cranbury, Cranford, Dunellen, Elizabeth, Edison, Fanwood, Flemington, Franklin, Garwood, Green Brook, Hillside, Hillsborough, Jamesburg, Kenilworth, Kingston, Lawrence, Linden, Manville, Martinsville, Middlesex, Millstone, Montgomery, Mountainside, North Plainfield, Peapak/Gladstone, Piscataway, Plainfield, Plainsboro, Pottersville, Princeton, Raritan, Roselle, Roselle Park, Readington, Scotch Plains, Somerville, South Bound Brook, South Brunswick, South Plainfield, Tewksbury, Union, and Westfield.

While it's not unusual for customers to notice an increase in the taste and smell of chlorine in their water, the utility said water quality would be monitored "to ensure that it meets or exceeds federal and state drinking water standards."

To remove the taste of chlorine, the utility offers the following tips:

  • Place water in a glass container in the refrigerator overnight uncovered. This will allow the chlorine to dissipate at a faster pace.
  • Bring your water to a rolling boil for five minutes and allow the water to cool.
    This should reduce the chlorine taste and smell in the water.
  • This should reduce the chlorine taste and smell in the water.
  • Add a lemon slice or a few drops of lemon juice to a glass of drinking water.

For more information visit the New Jersey American Water website.


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