State Takes Over Water Works Over Safety Concerns In Trenton

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – Gov. Phil Murphy announced Wednesday his administration was launching a new initiative to support and improve Trenton Water Works.

This comes after officials from various Mercer County towns, including Lawrenceville, asked the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) to take over 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

Murphy said the state will work with Trenton to enhance TWW’s technical and managerial capacity to improve operations and maintenance.

Despite recent efforts at the local level to improve operating conditions, TWW continues to struggle in maintaining compliance with regulatory obligations and requirements, Murphy’s office said.

“Protecting our children, families, and businesses is a responsibility that all levels of government share, and one that we must leverage every existing partnership to fulfill. Under the leadership of the DEP and in coordination with the City of Trenton, we will work tirelessly to safeguard our residents and return water system quality to the level our communities deserve,” Murphy said in a statement.

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 September, the NJDEP sent a letter to TWW and Trenton saying it was "disturbed” by the Council's failures and 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."

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.

““The depth of managerial, technical, and financial expertise required to ensure consistent operation, maintenance, and improvement of a water system is significant. Yet, not all systems are created equal, and we must invest more time, attention, and resources in those that need our help,” Commissioner of Environmental Protection Shawn M. LaTourette said. “Through direct operational oversight, DEP will help Trenton Water Works build the capacity necessary to better serve the public.”

TWW draws water from the Delaware River. The system has struggled to maintain critical treatment processes, monitor water quality, employ adequately trained operating personnel, and invest in required maintenance and capital needs, including significant upgrades to aging infrastructure such as the seven-acre, open-air finished water reservoir that stores and provides already treated water to about 70 percent of TWW’s distribution system, according to Murphy’s office.

In their joint letter to the NJDEP last month, township officials 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."

Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora said his office was committed to improving TWW. He criticized the Council for their “obstruction” and said access to clean and safe drinking water “is a human right.”

“As we’ve dealt with City Council obstruction, we are resolute and determined in our efforts to build on the substantial progress we’ve made, fulfilling the promise I made to modernize the TWW system to ensure clean and safe drinking water for our customers and service-area residents for generations to come,” Gusciora said.

Murphy’s new initiative has two primary 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. DEP will continue to closely monitor water quality and other indicators. If TWW exceeds a regulatory standard for drinking water quality, or if DEP determines that an acute risk to public health exists, a public notification would be sent to all customers.

Have a correction or news tip? Email sarah.salvadore@patch.com