For a two-month period, New Jersey American Water will change the water treatment process at its Raritan-Millstone Water Treatment Plant in Bridgewater and at its Canal Road Water Treatment Plant in Somerset from chloramines (a combination of ammonia and chlorine) to free chlorine. The temporary treatment is done annually as routine maintenance to ensure high quality, reliable water service throughout New Jersey American Water’s distribution system.

The change will begin on February 15, 2016 and last through the end of April. During this period, customers may notice an increase in the taste and smell of chlorine in their water. This is normal and will only be temporary until the system maintenance is complete. New Jersey American Water will continuously monitor water quality to ensure that it meets or surpasses federal and state drinking water standards.

The temporary treatment change applies to New Jersey American Water customers in the following communities:

Bedminster, Belle Meade, Bound Brook, Branchburg, Bridgewater, Chester, Clark, Cranbury, Cranford, Dunellen, Elizabeth, Edison, Fanwood, Flemington, Franklin, Garwood, Green Brook, Hillside, Hillsborough, Hopewell Township, Jamesburg, Kenilworth, Kingston, Lawrence, Linden, Manville, Martinsville, Middlesex, Millstone, Monroe Township, Montgomery, Mountainside, North Plainfield, Peapak/Gladstone, Piscataway, Plainfield, Plainsboro, Pottersville, Princeton, Raritan, Roselle, Roselle Park, Readington, Scotch Plains, Somerville, South Bound Brook, South Brunswick, South Plainfield, Tewksbury, Union, Warren, Watchung, Westfield, West Windsor, and Winfield Park.

During the treatment change, customers’ water will continue to meet or surpass state and federal standards. Customers who wish to reduce the taste of chlorine can place water in an uncovered glass container in the refrigerator overnight to dissipate the chlorine. For more information visit newjerseyamwater.com.

New Jersey American Water, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to approximately 2.5 million people. Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company. With headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs approximately 6,600 dedicated professionals who provide drinking water, wastewater and other related services to an estimated 14 million people in more than 30 states, as well as parts of Canada. More information can be found by visiting www.amwater.com.