The following information is provided by New Jersey American Water
On April 10, New Jersey American Water will resume using chloramines in water treatment at its Swimming River Water Treatment Plant in Colts Neck and its Jumping Brook Water Treatment Plant in Neptune.
In early December, as part of an annual maintenance program for its water distribution system, New Jersey American Water temporarily changed the water treatment process from a chloramine (combination) residual to free chlorine residual. Chloramines have long been effective method of water disinfection that meets all EPA and NJDEP drinking water standards and have been used in Monmouth and Ocean counties since 2012.
The treatment change applies to New Jersey American Water customers in the following communities: Aberdeen Township, Allenhurst, Asbury Park City, Avon, Belmar, Bradley Beach, Colts Neck Township, Deal, Eatontown, Elberon, Fair Haven, Highlands, Holmdel Township, Interlaken, Keansburg, Lake Como, Little Silver, Loch Arbor Village, Long Branch City, Matawan, Middletown Township, Monmouth Beach, Neptune City, Neptune Township (incl. Ocean Grove), Ocean Township, Oceanport, Point Pleasant, Red Bank, Rumson, Sea Bright, Shorelands, Shrewsbury, Shrewsbury Township, Tinton Falls, Union Beach, Wanamassa, and West Long Branch.
The three-month changeover to free chlorine residual enabled the company to perform routine maintenance on its chemical feed systems and remove any residual ammonia from the water distribution system.
During the transition to free chlorine residual, some customers may have noticed a slight chlorine taste and odor in their water. With the resumption of the chlorination process, the taste and smell of chlorine will subside.
For more information about water quality, visit www.newjerseyamwater.com