Asbury Park Tap Water May Soon Taste Different: Here's Why

ASBURY PARK, NJ - If your tap water is smelling or tasting slightly different this month, you’re not alone.

Water authority NJ American Water recently announced plans to temporarily change its water treatment process as part of an annual maintenance program in Asbury Park.

The treatment will switch from a chloramine (combination) residual to free chlorine residual at the utility's Swimming River Water Treatment Plant in Colts Neck and Jumping Brook Water Treatment Plant in Neptune starting Feb. 14 and continue until April 2022.

“During this period, some customers may notice a slight taste and smell of chlorine in their water,” Asbury Park officials said in an alert. “This is normal and will only be temporary until the system maintenance is complete.”

Residents who wish to reduce the taste of chlorine can place water in an uncovered glass container in the refrigerator overnight to dissipate chlorine faster, NJ American Water said in a statement.

“New Jersey American Water will monitor water quality in the system to provide that customers continue to receive water that meets or is better than federal and state drinking water standards,” the utility company said.

The treatment process change will affect these municipalities:

• Aberdeen
• Allenhurst
• Asbury Park City
• Atlantic Highlands
• Avon
• Bay Head
• Belmar
• Bradley Beach
• Colts Neck Township
• Deal
• Eatontown
• Elberon
• Fair Haven
• Hazlet
• 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
• Red Bank
• Rumson
• Sea Bright
• Shrewsbury
• Shrewsbury Township
• Tinton Falls
• Union Beach
• Wanamassa
• West Long Branch

The temporary treatment change also applies to residents living in the following communities that purchase water from New Jersey American Water:

• Aberdeen Township
• Avon
• Belmar
• Keyport
• Lake Como
• Matawan
• Naval Weapons Station Earle
• Keansburg
• Point Pleasant Borough