A worker on Harding Road uses a leaf blower to blow salt off the sidewalk into the street in December. (Photo by Brian Donohue. Click to enlarge.)
By BRIAN DONOHUE
If your tap water is tasting a little salty, it may be because road salt is getting into the water supply amid continued drought conditions, New Jersey American Water officials said Friday.
Brine being spread on a Red Bank street last winter.
“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,” the company said in a press release
The company supplies Red Bank customers with water six months of the year beginning in November.
A coalition of environmental groups recently held an annual Winter Salt Week to raise awareness about what they call the over-use of salt and its negative effects on waterways, wildlife and human health.
New Jersey American Water said the problem has been exacerbated this year by low reservoir levels after months of lower than normal rainfall.
The press release continues:
“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. These impacts 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.”
According to NJDEP, increased concentrations of sodium and chloride in water during winter weather events, like this past week’s, do not pose a health concern for most individuals in comparison to other sources of sodium in an average person’s diet. However, customers with health concerns, and those on a sodium-restricted diet, may want to contact their healthcare provider if they have questions.
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 continues to work with source water protection organizations dedicated to finding less impactful means of road maintenance.”
Have a news tip or story idea? redbankgreen editor Brian Donohue may be reached via email at [email protected] or by calling or texting 848-331-8331. Do you value the news coverage provided by redbankgreen? Please become a financial supporter if you haven’t already. Click here to set your own level of monthly or annual contribution.
