Taste and Odor Issues Raritan System
DECEMBER 23 AT 4:00 p.m. Press Release:
Following NJ DEP’s Identification of a Third-Party Compound Leak, New Jersey American Water Continues to Monitor Water Quality in its Raritan System; No Drinking Water Advisories in Effect
CAMDEN, N.J. – DEC. 23, 2024 – New Jersey American Water continues to monitor water quality following reports of changes in the taste and odor of drinking water from customers served by its Raritan System. In a statement today, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJ DEP) reported the initial results of its investigation, which attributes these changes to a leak that occurred on Dec. 16 from a repackaging facility in Branchburg, N.J. into a tributary of the Raritan River. The facility repackages fragrances, essential oils, and flavorings.
New Jersey American Water continues to monitor water quality and laboratory testing indicates that the water leaving New Jersey American Water’s two Raritan system treatment plants meets state and federal primary drinking water standards established by NJ DEP and US EPA and does not pose a public health risk.
“Providing safe drinking water to our customers is our foremost priority,” said Mark McDonough, president of New Jersey American Water. “Since Tuesday, Dec. 17, our teams have worked tirelessly, collecting hundreds of water quality samples around the clock throughout our system to help address the cause of the changes in taste and odor. Our proactive measures to adjust our treatment process and flush our system have allowed us to continue to provide water to our customers that meets state and federal drinking water quality standards, despite these challenges.”
New Jersey American Water first received customer inquiries regarding a change in taste and odor in the water in its Raritan system late in the evening on Tuesday, December 17. The company began to investigate and performed a series of actions including sampling and testing from the source water, different points in the treatment system of its water treatment plants, and sites throughout the distribution system. To address the issue, New Jersey American Water proactively adjusted its treatment processes and commenced targeted hydrant flushing across the system.
According to the NJ DEP, the material of the spill consisted of compounds, most notably alpha-pinene, which are commonly used as fragrance and food additives. Due to the fragrant nature of the compound, it can be smelled at minute concentrations measured in parts per trillion (ppt). For context, 1 ppt is equivalent to 4 drops of liquid in the amount of water that would fill Rutgers University’s SHI Stadium. Though detection levels of the compound are infinitesimal, customers may continue to notice the taste and odor over the next several days.
"We are grateful to the NJ DEP for their collaboration and diligence in investigating the cause of this issue that has resulted in both of our teams working around the clock and our customers concerned about the safety of the water,” said Mark McDonough, President, New Jersey American Water. “We understand our customers’ frustration, and we look forward to the prompt resolution of this problem.”
New Jersey American Water will continue to monitor water quality in cooperation with the NJ DEP and provide any additional updates to customers via its customer notification system as well as a dedicated webpage for this issue, njamwaterwaterquality.com, which includes a form for customer inquiries.
DECEMBER 22 AT 5:45 p.m. Update:
We understand the taste and odor changes in the Raritan system have been concerning to customers, and we want to assure you we’re doing everything we can to address the issue. The health and safety of our customers is a priority. There are currently no drinking water advisories in place for customers as the water meets state and federal standards.
Since Wednesday, December 18, we've tested over 200 compounds across 49 sample sites, from the source to tap. We are in consistent contact with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJ DEP) and diligently assisting their investigation to get to the root of the problem and keep our customers informed. In addition to assisting the NJ DEP investigation, we are running extensive tests which continue to confirm that this is a taste and odor issue and not a public health risk. Targeted hydrant flushing and sampling is ongoing.
While the water meets all state and federal standards, we understand the taste and odor issues are frustrating. NJ DEP commissioner Shawn LaTourette stated yesterday, "Despite continuing taste and odor concerns, we have not found any exceedance of our state or federal drinking water quality standards."
Customers may continue to notice an odor over the next several days. We will keep working with the NJ DEP until this is resolved. We appreciate our customers’ patience, cooperation and trust. As additional information becomes available, the company will provide updates here.
DECEMBER 21 AT 7:15 p.m. Update:
New Jersey American Water continues to monitor and sample water quality throughout its system and will continue to flush targeted areas through the weekend. Since Wednesday, December 18th, we've tested for more than 200 unique compounds across 49 sample sites throughout our source of supply, treatment facilities and distribution system. We continue working closely with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJ DEP) as well as local and state officials to investigate the issue and provide updates and sampling information.
NJ DEP commissioner Shawn LaTourette stated today, "NJ DEP and New Jersey American Water continue to vigorously explore the genesis of this problem, already taking hundreds of samples. Despite continuing taste and odor concerns, we have not found any exceedance of our state or federal drinking water quality standards."
We will continue to work with the NJ DEP to resolve this issue. Customers may continue to notice an odor over the next several days. We appreciate our customers’ continued patience and cooperation as we continue to work through the issue. We will update customers as more information becomes available, and will continue to post updates here.
DECEMBER 20 AT 7:30 p.m. Update:
New Jersey American Water first received customer inquiries regarding a change in taste and odor in the water in our Raritan system late in the evening on Tuesday, December 17. The company began to investigate and performed a series of actions including sampling and testing from the source water, at different points in the treatment system of our water treatment plants, and at sites throughout the distribution system. To address the issue, New Jersey American Water proactively adjusted our treatment processes and commenced targeted hydrant flushing across the system.
New Jersey American Water continues to sample and test the water, and laboratory results show the water meets state and federal drinking water standards. We have shared our sampling data with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJ DEP) and nothing has been identified as a risk to public health. New Jersey American Water continues to assist the NJ DEP as it investigates potential pollution sources within the watershed.
We will continue to work diligently with the NJ DEP to resolve this issue, but customers may continue to notice an odor over the next few days. We appreciate our customers’ continued cooperation and patience.
DECEMBER 19 AT 5:23 p.m. Update:
New Jersey American Water’s teams are continuing to flush targeted areas of the Raritan system and perform additional sampling throughout the communities that are reporting a changed odor in the water.
Additional laboratory testing of the samples confirmed that water meets state and federal drinking water standards. We are working with the NJ Department of Environmental Protection to determine if any other course of action or precautionary measures are necessary. We will continue to perform targeted flushing and sampling throughout the system tonight. We will provide another update on the Alerts page of our website as soon as more information is available.
DECEMBER 19 AT 11:30 a.m. Update:
Late on Wednesday, December 17, New Jersey American Water began receiving reports of changes in the taste and odor of our water in our Raritan System and surrounding areas (see list of towns below). We immediately began to investigate, taking samples from the source water, at different points in the treatment system of the two water treatment plants that serve this region, and at sites throughout the distribution system. While preliminary sampling results show water meets primary standards, we are continuing to sample throughout our system to monitor water quality.
We began flushing hydrants last night. Flushing will continue today in an effort to help clear the system, which may result in low pressure and/or discoloration. If your water is discolored, run the cold-water taps only, at the lowest level of the house for about 3 to 5 minutes until the water runs clear.
We thank you for your patience and understanding while we work to resolve this issue. We will provide updates as they become available.
DECEMBER 18, 2024
New Jersey American Water is aware of the changes in the taste and odor of our water reported by customers in our Raritan System and surrounding areas. Please refer to the list below. We are investigating and continuing to sample throughout our system. We will also be flushing hydrants overnight in an effort to help clear the system, which may result in low pressure and/or discoloration for customers.
If your water is discolored, run the cold water taps only, at the lowest level of the house for about 3 to 5 minutes until the water runs clear.
We thank you for your patience and understanding while we work to resolve this issue. We will provide updates as they become available on Thursday.
Impacted towns:
Bedminster, Belle Mead, Berkeley Heights, Bernards Township, Bound Brook, Bridgewater, Branchburg, Chester, Clark, Cranbury, Cranford, Dunellen, Edison, Fanwood, Far Hills, Flagtown, Flemington, Franklin Township, Garwood, Gladstone, Green Brook, Hightstown, Hillsborough, Hillside, Hopewell Borough, Hopewell Township, Jamesburg, Kenilworth, Kingston, Lawrence, Linden, Long Hill Township, Manville, Martinsville, Middlesex, Millstone, Monroe Township, Montgomery, Mountainside, Neshanic Station, New Providence, North Plainfield, Peapack, Piscataway, Plainfield, Plainsboro, Pottersville, Princeton, Princeton Junction, Raritan Borough, Raritan Township, Readington, Roselle, Roselle Park, Scotch Plains, Somerset, Somerville, South Brunswick, South Plainfield, South Bound Brook, Summit, Tewksbury, Three Bridges, Union, Vauxhall, Warren, Watchung, West Windsor, Westfield, Whitehouse and Whitehouse Station.