New Jersey American Water: Discolored Water Issues Largely Resolved

The discolored water issues Millburn-Short Hills residents were having over the last few weeks have been largely resolved, New Jersey American Water officials said in a press release on Monday.

The release states the discolored water was due to higher level of manganese, a naturally occurring mineral, in the Canoe Brook reservoirs off of John F. Kennedy Parkway in Short Hills. "The prolonged hot, dry weather spurred the growth of algae in the reservoirs, which reduced oxygen in water," the release states. "The lack of oxygen increases the ability of manganese to dissolve in water resulting in higher amounts of manganese in the water supply."

The company's release states the discolored water met all primary, health-related standards of the U.S. Safe Drinking Water Act. But the company adjusted its treatment process to address the issue after receiving approval from the state Department of Environmental Protection. The adjustments have improved water quality and resulted in clearer water, according to the release.

"New Jersey American Water thanks its customers for their patience as we worked through the issues caused by increased levels of manganese in the water," said Anthony Matarazzo, New Jersey American Water senior director of water quality and environmental management, in the press release.

New Jersey American Water officials recently talked about the problems with the water quality during a recent Maplewood Township Committee meeting.