Drinking Water Unsafe, Take Over Trenton Water: Mercer Towns Ask State

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ — Lawrence Township joined officials from Mercer County in asking the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) to take over direct supervision and operation of Trenton Water Works, due to its failure to comply with safe drinking water obligations.

The letter comes after the NJDEP sent Trenton and TWW a letter this week citing failure to comply with these orders. The letter said that the DEP is "disturbed by the current City Council's continuing failures or refusals to authorize resolutions necessary to advance critical capital improvements and ensure that ordinary maintenance and operational needs crucial to the protection of public health are met."

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 their joint letter, officials also criticized the Trenton City Council for their inaction in taking steps to remedy the situation and the Council's "egregious neglect of the water system."

"On behalf of the Trenton Water Works customers within Lawrence Township, it is time for the operations of the water utility to be taken from the City of Trenton," Lawrence Township Mayor John Ryan said.

"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. The report from the NJDEP dated September 27, 2022, demonstrates that the City of Trenton cannot meet the needs of its water utility customers by producing clean and safe water. We stand with the other municipalities fighting for their residents' health and safety. We must do better."

In 2020, the Attorney General and DEP filed a lawsuit against TWW, seeking to compel Trenton and the water utility to take action after failing to comply with Administrative Consent Orders to provide safe drinking water.

Hamilton Mayor Martin, Sen. Linda R. Greenstein, Assemblymen Wayne DeAngelo, and Dan Benson, Mercer County Executive Brain Hughes, Mercer County Board of County Commissioners Chair Nina Melker, Ewing Mayor Bert Steinmann and Hopewell Township Mayor Courtney Peters-Manning joined Lawrence in signing the letter to NJDEP.

Greenstein said that the recent inspection report only validates the charge that Trenton City Council and TWW have time and time again, failed residents of the region.

"Despite the actions of some to try and resolve these long-standing issues, it is readily apparent that a change in leadership is desperately needed. I call upon the State of New Jersey and NJDEP to immediately take all steps necessary to establish state control of Trenton Water Works, to ensure the health and safety of our residents remain top priority," Greenstein.

Hamilton Mayor Martin said residents of the town have no confidence in TWW’s ability to operate the utility.

"The Trenton City Council's refusal to authorize public safety projects is putting people's lives in danger and has prevented TWW's ability to provide safe and clean drinking water,” Martin said. “I call on the Governor and the State of New Jersey to immediately place TWW under direct state control to end the years of gross incompetence."

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.

County Executive Hughes said he was "encouraged” by Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora's determination to address the issues, but criticized Council for their "irresponsibility."

“I condemn the irresponsibility and recklessness of the City Council for its egregious neglect of the water system, its disregard for the directives set forth by the NJDEP and the injustices it has placed on communities of color and on all Trenton Water Works customers."

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