Manasquan's new water treatment plant has been up and running for more than a month, but not everyone in town is reaping the benefits. 

A handful of residents earlier this week told the governing body that their water has been discolored, smelly and downright undrinkable for the last two months -- and, they said, they're sick of it.

While most of the town has clean water pouring from their taps, homes on Willow Way and some nearby streets have seen the discolored, odorous water turn their toilets, sinks and laundry brown, residents and officials said. 

The problem, according to officials, seems to lie in the pipes -- not the new water plant. A new additive being at the new plant seems to be reacting with iron buildup inside the pipes, causing the reddish-brown discoloration some residents are experiencing, officials said. 

Whatever the cause, the residents of Willow Way want it fixed. 

Borough officials maintain that the water is safe for drinking, but several affected residents disagree.

"This is killing all of us," Carol Kirkman, of Willow Way, said. 

Kirkman said her shower and toilet were stained from the discolored water and she can't get them clean. 

And just two days after getting her hair done at a salon, Kirkman said the water from her shower caused orange streaks down her blonde hair. 

Carl Straub, of Willow Way, said the borough's strategy of flushing the area's hydrants to solve the problem wasn't working. 

"We've seen tens of thousands of gallons of water go by and out to sea. That theory that it would help has been proven wrong," Straub said. 

Straub added that the water has affected the neighborhood's drinking, cooking and plumbing. 

"People are frustrated, even frantic, about the effect of this bad water on our normal household living," Straub said. "The quality of water is not fine."

DeIorio said the borough was in day-to-day contact with officials from the state Department of Environmental Protection and the county Board of Health to review the water situation. 

In the meantime, residents say they are buying cases of bottled water and bringing their clothes to the laundromat. 

"None of us are drinking the amount of water we need to be as human beings," Deborah Robinson, of Willow Way, said. "We can't put white clothes in laundry because they'll be ruined."

Borough Engineer Charlie Rooney said the new additive was likely causing some kind of reaction with iron buildup inside the pipes once the water left the treatment plant. 

If the problem was at the plant, Rooney said, it'd be much easier to fix. 

The borough has scheduled a special meeting with affected residents for 6:30 p.m. June 26 at Borough Hall.