HOBOKEN, JERSEY CITY, AND WEEHAWKEN — This weekend, did you notice a stinky odor to your water in Jersey City, Hoboken, or Weehawken? Some residents did. United Water’s website includes the following release:
United Water customers in Jersey City, Hoboken and Weehawken may notice a change in the taste and odor of their drinking water. Despite the differences, the water continues to meet all the standards for safe drinking water. It can still be used for drinking, cooking and bathing.
“United Water is testing and monitoring the water quality very closely and laboratory tests show that it meets the standards for safe drinking water,” said Jim Glozzy, general manager. He explained that musty or earthy odors can occur when reservoir levels are down.
Certain taste and odor episodes can also be caused by turnovers in the reservoir. This occurs when the surface water cools and sinks to the bottom, causing a disturbance to the lower water layers.
The odor may be stronger when using hot water for showers, bathing or washing dishes. In addition, the odor may be increased if the hot water heater is only used on a limited basis.
Glozzy explained that changes in the raw water supply require United Water to modify the location of the reservoir intake and the treatment process. “We are working to resolve this matter as quickly as possible,” he said.
Water supplies are natural systems that respond to changes in the environment. As a result, it is difficult to predict exactly how long it will take to resolve this problem, Glozzy noted.
Customers may find that the taste of the water improves if they keep it in an open pitcher in the refrigerator.