Taste, Odor Issue Is 'Not A Public Health Risk,' Says NJ American Water

SOMERSET/UNION COUNTIES, NJ — An investigation continues almost a week after customers reported odor and taste issues in the Raritan System and surrounding areas.

"We understand the taste and odor changes in the Raritan system have been concerning to customers, and we want to assure you we’re doing everything we can to address the issue," said New Jersey American Water in a statement. "The health and safety of our customers is a priority. There are currently no drinking water advisories in place for customers as the water meets state and federal standards."

Since Dec. 18, NJ American Water reported testing more than 200 compounds across 49 sample sites, from the source to tap.

They have been in consistent contact and helping the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection(NJDEP) with their investigation to get to the root of the problem.

In addition to helping the NJDEP investigation, NJ American Water is running extensive tests which continue to confirm that this is a taste and odor issue and not a public health risk. Targeted hydrant flushing and sampling are ongoing.

While the water meets all state and federal standards, the water company said they understand the taste and odor issues are frustrating.

NJ DEP commissioner Shawn LaTourette stated, "Despite continuing taste and odor concerns, we have not found any exceedance of our state or federal drinking water quality standards."

Customers may continue to notice an odor over the next several days.

Customers in the Raritan System and surrounding areas began reporting the odor and taste issues with the water last Wednesday, prompting the water company to send out an urgent message.

Impacted towns include:

• Belle Mead,
• Berkeley Heights,
• Bernards Township,
• Bound Brook,
• Bridgewater,
• Branchburg,
• Chester,
• Clark,
• Cranbury,
• Cranford,
• Dunellen,
• Edison,
• Fanwood,
• Far Hills,
• Flagtown,
• Flemington,
• Franklin Township,
• Garwood,
• Gladstone,
• Green Brook,
• Hightstown,
• Hillsborough,
• Hillside,
• Hopewell Borough,
• Hopewell Township,
• Jamesburg,
• Kenilworth,
• Kingston,
• Lawrence,
• Linden,
• Long Hill Township,
• Manville,
• Martinsville,
• Middlesex,
• Millstone,
• Monroe Township,
• Montgomery,
• Mountainside,
• Neshanic Station,
• New Providence,
• North Plainfield,
• Peapack,
• Piscataway,
• Plainfield,
• Plainsboro,
• Pottersville,
• Princeton,
• Princeton Junction,
• Raritan Borough,
• Raritan Township,
• Readington,
• Roselle,
• Roselle Park,
• Scotch Plains,
• Somerset,
• Somerville,
• South Brunswick,
• South Plainfield,
• South Bound Brook,
• Summit,
• Tewksbury,
• Three Bridges,
• Union,
• Vauxhall,
• Warren,
• Watchung,
• West Windsor,
• Westfield,
• Whitehouse
• Whitehouse Station

If customers' water is discolored, run the cold water taps only, at the lowest level of the house for about 3 to 5 minutes until the water runs clear.

"We will keep working with the NJDEP until this is resolved. We appreciate our customers’ patience, cooperation and trust," said the water company.

As more information becomes available, the company will provide updates at amwater.com/alerts/extended/taste-and-odor-issues-raritan-system.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.