New Jersey American Water Concludes Temporary Treatment Change in Water Treatment Plants Serving Coastal Part of the State

Rhea-AI Summary

New Jersey American Water (NYSE: AWK) will resume using chloramines at its Swimming River (Colts Neck) and Jumping Brook (Neptune) water treatment plants the week of April 13, 2026. The plants serve customers in portions of Monmouth and Ocean counties.

In mid‑February the company temporarily switched to chlorine for about eight weeks as part of routine maintenance. Customers may have noticed a slight chlorine taste and smell during that period; the taste and smell are expected to subside after the return to chloramine. For more information about chloramine use, visit the company's website.

Key Figures

Treatment change duration: about eight weeks Process resumption week: week of April 13 Chloramine use since: 2012

3 metrics

Treatment change duration about eight weeks Temporary shift from chloramine to chlorine

Process resumption week week of April 13 Return to chloramines at New Jersey plants

Chloramine use since 2012 Chloramine disinfection in Monmouth and Ocean counties

Market Reality Check

Price: $138.82 Vol: Volume 1,277,284 is 0.67x...

low vol

$138.82 Last Close

Volume Volume 1,277,284 is 0.67x the 20-day average of 1,898,573, indicating quieter trading pre-announcement. low

Technical Trading slightly above 200-day MA at 136.04, with price at 136.04 and 12.52% below 52-week high.

Peers on Argus

AWK is up 1.43% while key utility peers like WTRG (-1.88%), ATO (-0.85%) and AEE...

AWK is up 1.43% while key utility peers like WTRG (-1.88%), ATO (-0.85%) and AEE (-0.40%) mostly traded lower, indicating a company-specific move rather than a sector-wide rotation.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Mar 30 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Mar 30	Anniversary & investment	Positive	+1.4%	140-year milestone and up to $48B planned infrastructure investments highlighted.
Mar 26	Infrastructure upgrade	Positive	+2.2%	$815,000 Huntington project within $129M 2026 state investment plan.
Mar 25	Pipe replacement project	Positive	+0.8%	$560,000 Dunbar project tied to broader $129M 2026 plan.
Mar 25	NYSE programming feature	Neutral	+0.8%	Company participation in NYSE programming around 140th anniversary.
Mar 24	Water stewardship panel	Positive	-1.6%	CERAWeek 2026 panel on water stewardship and regulatory engagement.

Pattern Detected

Recent company news on investments, anniversaries, and public engagement has more often coincided with positive price reactions, with only one negative move on otherwise constructive messaging.

Recent Company History

Over the past week, American Water highlighted its 140-year milestone serving 14 million people in 14 regulated states and 18 military installations, alongside plans to invest up to $48 billion over the next decade. Subsidiaries in West Virginia detailed projects of $815,000 and $560,000, tied to a broader $129 million 2026 infrastructure plan and over $805 million invested in the last decade. The current New Jersey treatment-process update fits this pattern of operational and infrastructure-focused disclosures aimed at service reliability and regulatory compliance.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement details a scheduled return to chloramine-based treatment at New Jersey plants afte...

Analysis

This announcement details a scheduled return to chloramine-based treatment at New Jersey plants after an eight-week maintenance period using chlorine. The change affects customers across multiple Monmouth and Ocean county communities and emphasizes compliance with EPA and NJDEP standards. In the broader context, American Water has recently highlighted long-term capital plans, infrastructure upgrades, and regulatory approvals. Investors may watch how ongoing capital spending, rate decisions, and progress on the announced merger influence future operational updates of this type.

Key Terms

chloramines

1 terms

chloramines medical

"New Jersey American Water will complete its scheduled routine treatment change and resume using chloramines"

Chloramines are chemical disinfectants created when chlorine combines with small amounts of ammonia; they are commonly used to keep drinking water and industrial process water free of harmful microbes. Investors should care because switching to or from chloramine treatment can affect utility and manufacturing costs, regulatory compliance, and product safety — similar to changing a factory’s fuel source, it can alter operating expenses, equipment needs, and liability risks.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

CAMDEN, N.J., March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- On the week of April 13, New Jersey American Water will complete its scheduled routine treatment change and resume using chloramines at its Swimming River Water Treatment Plant in Colts Neck and its Jumping Brook Water Treatment Plant in Neptune. These plants serve New Jersey American Water customers in portions of Monmouth and Ocean Counties.

In mid-February, as part of an annual routine maintenance program for its water distribution system, New Jersey American Water temporarily shifted the water treatment process from using chloramine to chlorine for about eight weeks. Chloramines have long been an effective method of water disinfection that meet all US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) drinking water standards and have been used by New Jersey American Water in Monmouth and Ocean counties since 2012.

The treatment change applies to New Jersey American Water customers in the following communities:

Aberdeen, Allenhurst, Asbury Park City, Atlantic Highlands, Avon, Bay Head, Belmar, Bradley Beach, Colts Neck Township, Deal, Eatontown, Elberon, Fair Haven, Hazlet, Highlands, Holmdel Township, Interlaken, Keansburg, Lake Como, Little Silver, Loch Arbor Village, Long Branch City, Matawan, Middletown Township, Monmouth Beach, Neptune City, Neptune Township (incl. Ocean Grove), Ocean Township, Oceanport, Red Bank, Rumson, Sea Bright, Shrewsbury, Shrewsbury Township, Tinton Falls, Union Beach, Wanamassa, and West Long Branch.

This treatment change also applies to residents living in the following communities that purchase water from New Jersey American Water: Aberdeen Township, Avon, Belmar, Keyport, Lake Como, Matawan, Naval Weapons Station Earle, Keansburg and Point Pleasant Borough.

During the routine maintenance, some customers may have noticed a slight chlorine taste and smell in their water. With the resumption of the chloramine process, the taste and smell of chlorine will subside. For more information about the use of chloramine in water treatment, visit newjerseyamwater.com.

About New Jersey American Water 
New Jersey American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest regulated water utility in the state with approximately 875 dedicated employees working to provide safe, clean, reliable and affordable water and wastewater services to approximately 3 million people. For more information, visit www.newjerseyamwater.com and follow New Jersey American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X, and Instagram. 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-jersey-american-water-concludes-temporary-treatment-change-in-water-treatment-plants-serving-coastal-part-of-the-state-302730635.html

SOURCE American Water

FAQ

When will New Jersey American Water (AWK) resume chloramine treatment at Swimming River and Jumping Brook?

New Jersey American Water will resume using chloramines the week of April 13, 2026 at those two plants. According to the company, this follows an approximately eight‑week temporary switch to chlorine that began in mid‑February as part of routine maintenance.

Which Monmouth and Ocean County communities are affected by the AWK treatment change?

Customers in many Monmouth and Ocean County communities served by the two plants are affected, including Long Branch, Neptune Township and Middletown. According to the company, the notice names about 40 municipalities and several water purchasers served by those plants.

Will customers still notice a chlorine taste after New Jersey American Water (AWK) returns to chloramines?

Customers should see the chlorine taste and smell subside after the return to chloramine treatment. According to the company, some customers noticed a slight chlorine taste during the eight‑week chlorine period; switching back will reduce that taste and odor.

Is chloramine treatment used by New Jersey American Water (AWK) compliant with regulators?

Yes. Chloramines meet EPA and New Jersey DEP drinking water standards and have been used in these service areas since 2012. According to the company, chloramine disinfection complies with regulatory standards for the Monmouth and Ocean county systems.

Where can customers find more information about the AWK treatment change and timeline?

Customers can find details and timing information on New Jersey American Water's website and customer pages. According to the company, the transition will complete the week of April 13, 2026 and the site explains chloramine use and related guidance.