‘Delighted’ By State Oversight Of Trenton Water Works: Lawrence Officials

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ — Officials in Lawrence Township said they were “delighted” by the state’s decision to oversee the operations of Trenton Water Works (TWW).

On Wednesday, Gov. Phil Murphy announced the state will work with Trenton to enhance TWW’s technical and managerial capacity to improve operations and maintenance. More: State Takes Over Water Works Over Safety Concerns In Trenton

“On behalf of the TWW customers that reside in Lawrence Township, we are delighted with the Governor’s decision to intercede and empower the NJDEP to directly oversee the water utility operations and monitoring,” Mayor John Ryan and Lawrence Township Councilmembers told Patch in a statement.

"We believe the Governor’s strategy gives TWW the best opportunity to meet its mandate to consistently provide clean and safe water for all its customers, and we will continue to fight for the success of TWW.”

Murphy’s decision comes after officials from various Mercer County towns, including Lawrence Township, asked the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) last month to take over the supervision and operation of TWW, due to its failure to comply with safe drinking water obligations. More: Drinking Water Unsafe, Take Over Trenton Water: Mercer Towns Ask State

In the letter to NJDEP, Ryan called for state oversight after TWW failed to produce clean and safe water.

“For far too long, the customers of TWW have lived with the fear, and at times reality, that the water they drink and use daily is unsafe,” Ryan said. “We stand with the other municipalities fighting for their residents' health and safety. We must do better."

Trenton Water Works supplies around 29 million gallons of drinking water daily to more than 200,000 residents in Lawrence, Ewing, Hamilton, Hopewell, and Trenton.

In August 4 cases of Legionnaires’ disease were reported in Hamilton. Of the four, one person had died. More: 4 Cases Of Legionnaires' Disease Reported In Mercer County

Health officials conducted surveillance for Legionnaires’ disease in all municipalities served by Trenton Water Works.

Hamilton Mayor Jeff Martin thanked Murphy and NJDEP Commissioner Shawn LaTourette for bringing Trenton Water Works under direct oversight of the NJDEP.

“I want to also thank my fellow Mayors, State Legislators, County Officials, and the Hamilton Township Council who have remained steadfast in their focus on ensuring TWW meets their most basic obligations to their customers,” Martin said.

Hamilton had joined Lawrence Township, Ewing and Hopewell in sending the letter to NJDEP last month.

“This is a major step towards reaching our simple goal: to ensure all TWW customers have reliably clean and safe drinking water. Further, the Order from NJDEP requires the City Council to approve all items necessary to ensure our goal is reached; guaranteeing a roadblock to progress is neutralized,” Martin said.

Murphy’s new initiative has two main phases – Phase I will ensure immediate retention and deployment of a capacity-building force comprised of managerial and technical experts who will focus on improving routine operations and maintenance, as well as immediate capital needs; and Phase II involves full-scale assessment and preparation of organizational and operational recommendations.

TWW will be under direct oversight and monitoring by DEP and its consultants, including a third-party adviser that will be embedded in the system for monitoring and assessing all operations and maintenance.

As of Wednesday, TWW water quality sample results reflect that the water system meets applicable water quality standards

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