New Jersey Water Customers to Regain Normal Taste After Temporary Chlorine Switch

NJ American Water customers in seven counties will no longer have chlorine-tasting water starting April 20 when the utility resumes traditional water treatment service.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 12:48am

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A ghostly, translucent X-ray image showing the intricate internal structure of a water treatment facility, with glowing pipes, filters, and chemical tanks visible against a dark background.An inside look at the complex infrastructure of a modern water treatment plant, where chemicals and processes work together to ensure safe, clean drinking water.Princeton Today

New Jersey American Water customers in Essex, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Somerset, and Union counties have noticed a slight chlorine taste and smell in their tap water since mid-February. This was due to the utility temporarily switching from using chloramine to chlorine for routine maintenance at its two water treatment plants. However, the normal chloramine treatment process will resume the week of April 20, restoring the usual taste and odor of the water.

Why it matters

Chloramine has been an effective and safe water disinfectant used by New Jersey American Water since the 1970s. The temporary switch to chlorine was part of the utility's annual maintenance program, but the chlorine taste and smell was an inconvenience for customers in the affected counties.

The details

In mid-February, New Jersey American Water temporarily shifted its water treatment process from using chloramine - a disinfectant of chlorine and ammonia - to chlorine for 10 weeks at its Raritan-Millstone Water Treatment Plant in Bridgewater and its Canal Road Water Treatment Plant in Somerset. This resulted in some customers noticing a slight chlorine taste and smell in their tap water.

  • In mid-February, NJ American Water temporarily switched from chloramine to chlorine for routine maintenance.
  • The chlorine treatment process will end the week of April 20, when the utility resumes its normal chloramine treatment.

The players

New Jersey American Water

A water utility that provides drinking water to customers in seven counties in New Jersey.

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What’s next

Normal taste and odor should return to NJ American Water customers' tap water starting the week of April 20 when the utility resumes its regular chloramine treatment process.

The takeaway

This temporary switch to chlorine for routine maintenance by NJ American Water caused an inconvenience for customers in several counties who noticed a chlorine taste and smell in their tap water. However, the normal chloramine treatment process will be restored soon, resolving the issue.