Salty Taste In NJ Drinking Water Linked To Use Of Salt, Brine On Roads

NEW JERSEY — Have you noticed a salty taste in your water recently? New Jersey American Water said it is due to the use of salt and brine for public safety during the recent extreme winter weather and ongoing drought conditions.

The water company shared a notice with customers about the change in taste on Friday.

"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," said NJ American Water.

Specifically, the water company said local road departments, commercial parking lot owners, and homeowners are using salt to melt snow and ice to keep 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," said the water company.

NJ American Water said the salty taste will 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."

The increased concentrations of sodium and chloride in water during winter weather events, like this past week, do not pose a health concern for most people in comparison to other sources of sodium in an average person’s diet, according to New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, said the water company.

"However, customers with health concerns, and those on a sodium-restricted diet, may want to contact their healthcare provider if they have questions," said NJ American Water.

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 is continuing to work with source water protection organizations dedicated to finding less impactful means of road maintenance.

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