NEW JERSEY — If you’re a resident of one of several North Jersey counties, your tap water could taste a little funny starting Feb. 12.
Here’s why: As part of its annual maintenance program, New Jersey American Water announced this week it will temporarily change its water treatment process from a chloramine residual to a free chlorine residual at the company’s Raritan-Millstone and Canal Road water treatment plants.
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The affected water treatment plants serve New Jersey American Water customers in Essex, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Somerset and Union counties. The change in treatment will start on Feb. 12 and continue through the end of April.
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During the change, officials said customers in the affected counties may notice a slight taste and smell of chlorine in their water. This is normal, the company said, and customers wishing to reduce the taste of chlorine can place water in an uncovered glass container in the refrigerator overnight to dissipate chlorine faster.
Laura Norkute, director of water quality with New Jersey American Water, said the switch is made annually to provide an extra measure of disinfection to the company’s distribution system.
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“This periodic, scheduled change in disinfectant is a standard water treatment practice that allows us to continue to provide safe, high-quality water for our customers,” Norkute said in a statement.
The temporary treatment change applies to New Jersey American Water customers in the following communities:
Essex County
Hunterdon County
Mercer County
Middlesex County
Morris County
Somerset County
Union County
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