EHS has seen an uptick in reports of a salty taste in local tap water. According to New Jersey American Water, this is due to recent use of salt on paved surfaces combined with lower reservoir levels and does not pose a health concern.

In addition, due to an annual, routine maintenance program, some users might notice a slight taste and smell of chlorine in the water from Feb. 10 through mid-April, 2025.

See the full press releases from New Jersey American Water below. 

New Jersey Residents May Notice Salty Taste in Tap Water Amid Winter Weather and Drought Conditions

CAMDEN, N.J. (FEB. 14, 2025) – Due to the use of salt and brine for public safety during the recent extreme winter weather and, ongoing drought conditions, New Jersey residents may have noticed a salty taste in their tap water. Despite the slight change in taste, New Jersey American Water wants to assure its customers that the water it provides continues to meet all health-based primary drinking water standards.

Each winter, local road departments, commercial parking lot owners, and homeowners use salt to melt snow and ice and to maintain roads and other surfaces for safe traction. As snow and ice melt, this salt can wash into nearby waterways, some of which serve as drinking water sources. This causes higher concentrations of sodium and chloride in the source water, which is exacerbated by lower reservoir and river levels caused by the statewide drought conditions, and results in a salty taste. These impacts typically diminish once road salt applications and associated runoff from snow melt have ceased.

“We are continuing to monitor water quality at the source and throughout our systems and can confirm that the water we’re providing to customers continues to meet primary drinking water quality standards,” said Ben Morris, Vice President of Operations, New Jersey American Water. “This issue is not unique to New Jersey American Water, but part of a larger statewide issue, as confirmed in our communications with the NJDEP. We will continue to work closely with our neighboring water systems and the NJDEP to keep our customers informed.”

According to NJDEP, increased concentrations of sodium and chloride in water during winter weather events, like this past week’s, do not pose a health concern for most individuals in comparison to other sources of sodium in an average person’s diet. However, customers with health concerns, and those on a sodium-restricted diet, may want to contact their healthcare provider if they have questions.

For more information about the effects of road salting on New Jersey source water, visit The New Jersey Watershed Watch Network’s website at njwatershedwatch.org/road-salt. New Jersey American Water continues to work with source water protection organizations dedicated to finding less impactful means of road maintenance.

New Jersey American Water Plans for Routine Maintenance at its Raritan-Millstone and Canal Road Water Treatment Plants

CAMDEN, N.J. (JAN. 29, 2025) – As part of an annual, routine maintenance program, New Jersey American Water will temporarily change the water treatment process at its Raritan-Millstone Water Treatment Plant in Bridgewater and its Canal Road Water Treatment Plant in Somerset. The maintenance will take place the week of February 10, 2025 through mid-April, and consists of temporarily shifting from using chloramine to free chlorine.

This routine, annual change in treatment helps ensure the continued safety and reliability of water quality throughout the distribution system. During this period, some customers may notice a slight taste and smell of chlorine in their water. This is normal and will only be temporary until the system maintenance is complete. If customers experience this, the company suggests pla ing water in an uncovered pitcher in the refrigerator overnight to allow the chlorine to dissipate.

Throughout the maintenance period, New Jersey American Water will continue to monitor water quality in the system to provide water to customers that meets or surpasses federal and state drinking water standards.

The temporary treatment change applies to New Jersey American Water customers served by its Raritan-Millstone and Canal Road Water Treatment plants and includes the following communities. 

Mercer County: Hopewell Borough*, Hopewell Township, Lawrence Township*, Princeton Borough, Princeton Junction, Princeton Township, Trenton*, and West Windsor Township  [ed. note: additional counties/communities removed from list]

About New Jersey American Water
New Jersey American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, is the largest regulated water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to approximately 2.9 million people. For more information, visit www.newjerseyamwater.com