Annual Water Treatment May Increase Chlorine Smell/Taste

New Jersey American Water will be temporarily changing its water treatment process from a chloramine residual to a free chlorine residual starting tomorrow, February 13th.

This is part of the water utility’s annual distribution system pipeline maintenance program at the Raritan-Millstone and Canal Road surface water treatment plants.

Chloramines are a combination of ammonia and chlorine. Roselle Park, along with 61 other municipalities, will be affected.

The change will continue through the end of March. New Jersey American Water stated that during this period, customers may notice an increase in the taste and smell of chlorine in their water. The company has asserted that this is normal and will only be temporary until the system maintenance is complete. Water quality will be monitored to ensure that it meets or surpasses federal and state drinking water standards.

Below is a list of municipalities in five (5) counties affected by the treatment:

  • Bedminster Township
  • Berkley Heights Township
  • Bernards Township
  • Bernardsville Borough
  • Bound Brook Borough
  • Branchburg Township
  • Bridgewater Township
  • Clark Township
  • Cranbury Township
  • Cranford Township
  • Dunellen Borough
  • Edison Township
  • Fanwood Borough
  • Far Hills Borough
  • Flemington Borough*
  • Franklin Township
  • Frenchtown Borough
  • Garwood Borough
  • Green Brook Township
  • Hillsborough Township
  • Hillside Township
  • Hopewell Township
  • Jamesburg Borough
  • Kenilworth Borough
  • Lawrence Township
  • Linden City
  • Manville Borough
  • Middlesex Borough
  • Millstone Borough
  • Monroe Township
  • Montgomery Township
  • Mountainside Borough
  • New Providence Borough
  • North Brunswick*
  • North Plainfield Borough
  • Peapack & Gladstone Borough
  • Piscataway Township
  • Plainfield City
  • Plainsboro Township
  • Princeton Township
  • Princeton Borough
  • Princeton Junction
  • Rahway*
  • Raritan Township
  • Raritan Borough
  • Readington Township
  • Roselle Park Borough
  • Roselle Borough
  • Scotch Plains Township
  • Somerville Borough
  • South Brunswick Township
  • South Plainfield Borough
  • South Bound Brook Borough
  • Springfield Township
  • Summit City
  • Tewksbury Township
  • Union Township
  • Warren Township
  • Watchung Borough
  • West Windsor Township
  • Westfield Township
  • Winfield Park Township

New Jersey American Water has advised customers who wish to reduce the taste of chlorine to follow these three helpful 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.
  • Add a lemon slice or a few drops of lemon juice to a glass of drinking water.

Anyone needing more information can visit New Jersey American Water’s website () or contact the company’s representative at (856) 782-2371.