Business & Tech

Smelly Water on Tap Due to System Flushing

It will still be safe, but you'll smell more chlorine starting Monday.

A change in chemicals used to sanitize the Central Jersey water supply done annually to flush out the water system will cause many of New Jersey American Water Co. customers to notice a stronger smell of chlorine, beginning Monday, the company said.

The company performs an annual pipeline maintenance program by switching from using cloramine—ammonia and chlorine combined—to "free" chlorine to sanitize the water. The higher concentration of chlorine means a more noticeable smell to the water, but the company says it will not be harmful.

The maintenance is scheduled to continue through February and will affect customers served by the company's Raritan-Millstone Water Treatment Plant in Bridgewater and the Canal Road Water Treatment Plant in Somerset. Areas served by the plants include Bedminster, Bridgewater, Cranford, Green Brook, Hillsborough, Lawrence, Martinsville, Millstone, Mountainside, Princeton, Scotch Plains, South Brunswick and Westfield.

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There are several ways to reduce or eliminate the taste or smell of chlorine, including boiling water, or storing it in an open container in the refrigerator overnight.

A glass of tap water can be made more enjoyable with a slice of lemon or drops of lemon juice to cover the chlorine smell.

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