Monmouth Co. Tap Water May Taste Different This Month. Here’s Why

MONMOUTH COUNTY - If your tap water is smelling or tasting slightly different this month, don't be alarmed.

Water authority NJ American Water recently announced plans to temporarily change its water treatment process through April 2021. 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. 15.

Between February and April, some customers may temporarily notice a “slight taste and smell of chlorine” in tap water. Customers who wish to reduce the taste of chlorine can place water in an uncovered glass container in a refrigerator overnight.

“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,” a press release from the company reads.

The treatment process change will affect these municipalities:

• Aberdeen
• Allenhurst
• Asbury Park City
• 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 treatment change also applies to residents living in these communities that purchase water from NJ American Water: Aberdeen Township, Avon, Belmar, Lake Como, Matawan, Naval Weapons Station Earle, Keansburg and Point Pleasant Borough.