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

Rhea-AI Summary

New Jersey American Water (NYSE:AWK) will temporarily switch disinfectants from chloramine to free chlorine at the Swimming River plant in Colts Neck and Jumping Brook plant in Neptune.

The change runs the week of Feb. 16, 2026 through mid-April 2026 and may cause a temporary chlorine taste or smell for customers in Monmouth and Ocean counties; water quality monitoring will continue to meet or surpass federal and state standards.

Key Figures

Start of treatment change: Week of Feb. 16, 2026 End of treatment change: Mid-April 2026 Chloramine use since: 2012

3 metrics

Start of treatment change Week of Feb. 16, 2026 Beginning of temporary switch to free chlorine at NJ plants

End of treatment change Mid-April 2026 Expected end of temporary disinfectant change in Monmouth and Ocean counties

Chloramine use since 2012 Year New Jersey American Water began using chloramines in these counties

Market Reality Check

Price: $125.89 Vol: Volume 1,548,954 is in li...

normal vol

$125.89 Last Close

Volume Volume 1,548,954 is in line with 20-day average 1,526,270 (relative volume 1.01x). normal

Technical Trading below 200-day MA at 138.03 and about 18.6% under 52-week high 155.5, while only 4.26% above 52-week low 121.395.

Peers on Argus

AWK down 1.98% with several regulated utility peers also lower: WTRG -1.65%, AEE...

AWK down 1.98% with several regulated utility peers also lower: WTRG -1.65%, AEE -1.16%, DTE -1.01%, FE -0.8%, while ATO is slightly positive at +0.11%, suggesting broader defensive-utilities softness rather than company-specific reaction to this operational notice.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Jan 29 (Neutral)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Jan 29	Water quality notice	Neutral	+0.1%	Explained cloudy tap water in Iowa as harmless dissolved air release.
Jan 29	PFAS system upgrade	Positive	+1.5%	Commissioned nearly $6M PFAS treatment system serving about 3,000 customers.
Jan 28	Leadership appointment	Neutral	-2.7%	Named new Director of Business Development and Government Affairs in Iowa.
Jan 28	Cold weather guidance	Neutral	-2.7%	Advised Pennsylvania customers on preventing frozen pipes during sub-zero weather.
Jan 27	NJ disinfectant change	Neutral	-2.7%	Announced temporary switch to free chlorine at central/northern NJ plants.

Pattern Detected

Operational and customer-information updates often drew modest or even negative moves, indicating price action has not consistently tracked the neutral-to-positive tone of service-quality news.

Recent Company History

Over the last several days, AWK issued multiple customer and operations-focused updates. On Jan 27, 2026, New Jersey announced a similar temporary disinfectant change with a -2.67% move. Safety/weather guidance and an Iowa cloudy-water explanation likewise saw -2.67% and near-flat reactions. A positive PFAS treatment investment update on Jan 29, 2026 coincided with a +1.53% move. Overall, operational quality and infrastructure news have produced mixed, often negative, short-term price responses.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement details a temporary switch from chloramine to free chlorine at New Jersey plants b...

Analysis

This announcement details a temporary switch from chloramine to free chlorine at New Jersey plants beginning the week of Feb. 16, 2026 and running until mid-April 2026. It continues a routine maintenance program and emphasizes compliance with federal and state standards. In context of recent infrastructure and water-quality communications, the news underscores ongoing system stewardship. Investors may watch future regulatory filings, infrastructure updates, and customer-impact disclosures to gauge operational and rate-base implications.

Key Terms

chloramine, distribution system

2 terms

chloramine medical

"temporarily change the water treatment process from using chloramine to free chlorine"

Chloramine is a chemical disinfectant created when chlorine is combined with a small amount of ammonia and is commonly used to keep public water supplies free of bacteria over time. It matters to investors because its use influences utility operating costs, regulatory compliance, infrastructure spending, water quality and potential liability for corrosion or taste complaints—think of it as a longer‑lasting sanitizer for a city’s water system that can change maintenance needs and expenses for businesses tied to water service.

distribution system technical

"ongoing commitment to maintaining high water quality throughout our distribution system"

The system of channels, partners and processes a company uses to move products or services from production to customers — for example warehouses, shipping, wholesalers, retailers, online platforms and the rules and equipment needed to handle them. Investors care because a strong distribution system means faster sales, lower costs, reliable supply and fewer regulatory or quality problems; it’s like a company’s plumbing and roads — if they work well, money flows smoothly, if they break the business stalls.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

CAMDEN, N.J., Feb. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of an annual, routine maintenance program, New Jersey American Water will temporarily change the water treatment process from using chloramine to free chlorine at its Swimming River Water Treatment Plant in Colts Neck and its Jumping Brook Water Treatment Plant in Neptune. These water treatment plants serve New Jersey American Water customers in Monmouth and Ocean Counties.

"This periodic, scheduled change in disinfectant is a standard water treatment practice that allows us to continue to provide safe, high-quality water for our customers," said Andrea Castro, Director of Water Quality and Environmental Compliance, New Jersey American Water. "We perform this distribution system maintenance program every year as part of our ongoing commitment to maintaining high water quality throughout our distribution system."

The temporary treatment process will begin the week of Feb.16, 2026 and continue until mid-April 2026. During this period, some customers may notice a slight taste and smell of chlorine in their water. This is normal and will only be temporary until the system maintenance is complete. Customers who wish to reduce the taste of chlorine can place water in an uncovered glass container in the refrigerator overnight to dissipate chlorine faster.

Throughout the maintenance period, New Jersey American Water will continue to monitor water quality in the system to provide water to customers that meets or surpasses federal and state drinking water standards.

The temporary 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 temporary 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.

New Jersey American Water has used chloramines in its water treatment process for customers in Monmouth and Ocean counties since 2012. For more information, visit the Water Quality section of the company's website at newjerseyamwater.com.

About New Jersey American Water
New Jersey American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, is the largest regulated water utility in the state, providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable water and wastewater services to approximately 2.9 million people. For more information, visit www.newjerseyamwater.com and follow New Jersey American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X, and Instagram. 

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SOURCE American Water

FAQ

What disinfectant change will New Jersey American Water (AWK) make in Feb 2026?

The company will temporarily switch from chloramine to free chlorine for routine maintenance. According to New Jersey American Water, the change starts the week of Feb. 16, 2026 and continues until mid-April 2026 to support distribution system maintenance.

Which water treatment plants will use free chlorine during New Jersey American Water's Feb–Apr 2026 maintenance?

Free chlorine will be used at Swimming River in Colts Neck and Jumping Brook in Neptune. According to New Jersey American Water, these plants serve customers across Monmouth and Ocean counties and are part of an annual maintenance program.

Will AWK customers notice any changes in water during the Feb–Apr 2026 switch?

Some customers may notice a mild chlorine taste or smell while the temporary change is active. According to New Jersey American Water, this effect is normal, temporary, and can be reduced by refrigerating uncovered water overnight to dissipate chlorine.

Which communities will be affected by New Jersey American Water's temporary treatment change (AWK)?

Customers in multiple Monmouth and Ocean County communities are affected, including Colts Neck, Neptune, Long Branch, Red Bank and others. According to New Jersey American Water, a full list includes specific boroughs and townships served by the two plants.

How will New Jersey American Water ensure safety during the Feb 16–mid-April 2026 disinfectant change?

The company will continue system monitoring to meet or surpass federal and state drinking water standards throughout the maintenance period. According to New Jersey American Water, regular testing and compliance checks will be maintained during the temporary change.