News

News

1/15/2014 - Drinking water could taste, smell more of chlorine

          A change in the way drinking water is processed at two water treatment plants could make Somerset County tap water taste a bit more like chlorine for a while.  New Jersey American Water will temporarily change from chloramine, a combination of chlorine and ammonia, to free chlorine as part of its annual pipeline maintenance program at its Raritan-Millstone water treatment plant in Bridgewater and its Canal Road water treatment plant in Somerset, according to a statement from the utility.

The change will begin on Jan. 21 and last through March, during which time customers maybe notice an increase in the taste and smell of chlorine in their water. This is normal and will be temporary only until the system maintenance is complete, the statement said.

            Somerset County communities to be affected include Bedminster, Belle Mead, Bound Brook, Branchburg, Bridgewater, Franklin, Green Brook, Hillsborough, Manville, Martinsville, Millstone, Montgomery, North Plainfield, Peapack-Gladstone, Raritan, Somerville and South Bound Brook.

Certain communities in Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris and Union counties will also be affected.

The utility said that the taste of chlorine can be removed by placing water in a glass container in the refrigerator overnight uncovered, bringing water to a rolling boil for five minutes and allowing the water to cool, or adding a lemon slice or a few drops of lemon juice to the water.

The utility said it will continuously monitor water quality to ensure it meets or exceeds federal and state drinking water standards.

During the change, customers' water will continue to meet or exceed state and federal standards, however some may not prefer the taste of chlorine: Here are some helpful tips to remove the taste of chlorine:

  • 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.

News Archives