HOBOKEN – If you live in the Mile Square City and noticed a slight discoloration in your water, there is no need for alarm, according to water-company officials. United Water, the company that handles much of Hudson County’s aging plumbing, announced Tuesday morning that the discoloration is due to efforts to locate a leak in a Jersey City water main.

The company said that the discoloration is harmless, noting that it was caused by high levels of naturally occurring minerals and buildup of harmless sediment in the water mains.

Boiling water is unnecessary, according to the announcement, though customers may wish to wait until the water returns to its normal color to drink or wash clothes or dishes. The announcement did not say when that would be but did note that the situation is temporary. – Dean DeChiaro