FAQs • East Orange, NJ • CivicEngage

Why does drinking water often look cloudy when first taken from a faucet and then clear up?: The cloudy water is caused by tiny air bubbles in the water similar to the gas bubbles in carbonated soft drinks. After a while, the bubbles rise to the top and are gone. This type of cloudiness occurs more often in the winter when the drinking water is cold.

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Water Quality

1. How hard is my water?: East Orange’s water is very hard. For more information on water hardness visit our Hard Water Information page.

2. Is bottled water "better" than tap water?: There is no evidence to show that bottled water is better that tap water. All tap water is required to meet strict standards set by the USEPA (United Stated Environmental Protection Agency) under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

The water provided by community water systems is regularly tested for compliance with state and federal regulations, whereas bottled water suppliers do not have such stringent regulatory requirements.

3. I’ve heard about people installing filters or home treatment devices. Is that really necessary?: Water provided by the East Orange Water Commission meets or exceeds all state and federal primary standards for drinking water quality. However, some customers may choose to install additional home treatment devices to meet their personal preferences such as improving the taste or smell of their water.

These treatment devices do not necessarily make the water safer or healthier to drink. And, if not properly maintained, can actually cause water quality problems.

4. Who sets the water quality standards?: Water is treated to meet the levels of purity and quality set by the USEPA. Increasingly stringent USEPA regulations require treatment processes to be continually updated and tested, advancing the levels of technology, skill and chemical solutions.

Nearly all public water supplies in the United States meet USEPA standards for safe drinking water. Standards limit the concentrations, or amounts, of contaminants. In some cases where a contaminant cannot be measured, water supplies must provide specific treatment, such as disinfection and filtration.

5. Why does my water sometimes have a chlorine taste and odor?: Like all public water suppliers in New Jersey, the East Orange Water Commission is required by law to provide disinfectant (chlorine) to the water during the treatment process to kill germs. This may mean that you may encounter chlorine-type tastes or odors from time to time.

If you find this unacceptable, collect tap water in a container, shake it and let in stand for a while before covering the container and placing it in the refrigerator for drinking. The chlorine odor will dissipate.

For more information, contact the Water Department at 973-266-8869.

6. Why does drinking water often look cloudy when first taken from a faucet and then clear up?: The cloudy water is caused by tiny air bubbles in the water similar to the gas bubbles in carbonated soft drinks. After a while, the bubbles rise to the top and are gone. This type of cloudiness occurs more often in the winter when the drinking water is cold.

7. Why is my drinking water ‘dirty’?: ‘Dirty’ water may be due to maintenance being performed on the mains. If you are experiencing ‘dirty’ water, open the cold water faucets on the lowest floor of the house and let the water run until it clears. If the condition persists, please call the Water department at 973-266-8869.

8. Why does dishwater or the dishwasher leave spots on glasses?: The spots that may appear on glassware after washing and air drying are caused by nontoxic minerals that remain on the glass when the water evaporates. Spots on glass shower doors appear for the same reason. Commercial products are available that allow the water to drain from glassware more completely.