Issues With Trenton Water Works Is A Regional Crisis, Mercer Leaders Say

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – Leaders from Mercer County have weighed in after state officials released a report that highlights specific deficiencies at Trenton Water Works (TWW).

The report released by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) said the utility’s physical assets “suffer from mismanagement and a chronic lack of maintenance.”

Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette has recommended the formation of a new public entity to operate the water utility.

Sen. Shirley K. Turner, Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson, and Assemblyman Anthony S. Verrelli from the 15th Legislative District said that the problem was not a Trenton issue, but rather “a regional crisis.”

“The recent NJDEP report outlines how TWW has fallen short in its duty to provide clean, safe drinking water for its customers by consistently failing to meet Technical, Managerial and Financial (TMF) criteria. Trenton Water Works serves over 200,000 people – across Trenton and parts of Hamilton, Ewing, Lawrence and Hopewell Townships. It is clear that this is not just a Trenton issue – it is a regional crisis that demands a regional solution,” the legislators said in a joint statement.

““TWW’s struggle with the long-term sustainability of the system, including water treatment quality, operational efficiencies, and equipment maintenance cannot go on. We all need to come together as a region – legislators, mayors, and communities - to deal with this systemic issue and figure out a path forward. We need to find a way to modernize and repair the facilities while ensuring professional governance, management, and operations at all levels.”

The legislators noted that despite the NJDEP taking oversight of TWW in 2022, the utility remains in "critical condition.”

TWW serves five Mercer County towns – Lawrence, Ewing, Hamilton, Trenton, and Hopewell.

The legislators praised the Mayors of all five towns W. Reed Gusciora (Trenton), Jeff Martin (Hamilton Township), Bert Steinmann (Ewing), Patricia Hendricks Farmer (Lawrence Township), and Courtney Peters-Manning (Hopewell Township) - who released a joint statement promising to work together to solve the crisis.

“We are encouraged by the clear commitment to collaboration among local mayors and state officials and will work tirelessly to ensure this effort moves forward without delay. Together, we will restore public trust in TWW and secure a sustainable future for our water system,” Turner, Reynolds-Jackson and Verrelli said.

Meanwhile Mercer County Executive Dan Benson said the County was prepared to back a variety of possible solutions that will maintain public control of the utility while also ensuring all resident have access to clean drinking water.

“Mercer County is prepared to play any role asked of us by our Mayors, legislative delegation, and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to accomplish this mission,” Benson said. “As a former legislator, we know this will take everyone’s cooperation to achieve this goal.”

The Mercer County Board of County Commissioners said they were committed to supporting all affected communities, in light of the new report.

“No resident residing in Mercer County or in America for that matter, should have to question if their water is safe to drink,” Commissioner Nina Melker said.

“Although, sadden to read this report, I am pleased that all partners involved realize that something must be done to modernize Trenton Water Works to meet the present day demands of the system.” Said Commissioner Cathleen Lewis.

The technical, managerial, and financial assessment of Trenton Water Works said the utility’s physical assets “suffer from mismanagement and a chronic lack on maintenance.” it noted the lack of personnel training, poor performance of critical system functions and a general disregard for recommended operations and maintenance practices.

Here are the links to the reports released by the NJDEP:

• Technical, Managerial and Financial Report
• 360 Assessment Report
• A Summary of the Independent Assessments of TWW

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