UPDATE: Many Residents Blasting Aqua For Strange Odor In Water: Water Main Break May Be Culprit

BAYVILLE, NJ- A water main break on Chelsea Avenue in Bayville may be the cause of a torrent of complaints of smelly water, a spokesman for Aqua New Jersey said.

The water main break occurred on Sunday. Since it's necessary to shut off water while repairs are made, that results in "dead ends" where the water can't flow. Once service is returned, that results in a "surge" which may be responsible for the odors, the spokesman said.

The areas most affected are Sylvan Lakes, Lakewood Avenue, Sunnydale and the general area around Chelsea Avenue, he said.

The company has been flushing lines in the area to help remediate the problem. The spokesman suggested residents run the cold water in the bathtub for five minutes to help get rid of the odor.

Mayor Carmen F. Amato Jr. notified Aqua New Jersey late yesterday of the problem..

"Ours smells horrible too," the mayor said on Facebook yesterday.

Residents began firing off complains on Sunday on the Bayville...Best Place On Earth Facebook page and into today about nauseating smells they say are coming from their water faucets. Descriptions of the smell range from cat urine, motor oil and ammonia.

Some residents have been told the odor problem must be in their homes. But there are far too many complaints for it to be confined to one home.

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