NJ Launches Bid For Consultant To Transform Troubled Trenton Water Works

MERCER COUNTY, NJ — The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is seeking a consultant to lead the regionalization of Trenton Water Works.

The consultant will help restructure the troubled utility through a new governance model shared by five Mercer County municipalities – Lawrenceville, Hopewell, Ewing, Hamilton, and Trenton.

A request for proposals was issued on April 16. Proposals are due May 30, with work set to begin in July and continue over the two years.

The regionalization plan comes after the 217-page DEP-commissioned evaluation released in January 2025, which concluded that Trenton Water Works suffers from “mismanagement and a chronic lack on maintenance.”

The report noted the lack of personnel training, poor performance of critical system functions and a general disregard for recommended operations and maintenance practices.

Trenton Water Works serves more than 200,000 residents across Mercer County and is solely governed by the city.

After the DEP report, the mayors of all five municipalities sent a joint letter to the Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette calling for a new public utility with shared oversight and accountability.

The DEP is seeking a firm to serve as project lead, which will include stakeholder engagement, governance design, regulatory compliance planning, rate structure recommendations, and public outreach. The consultant will report to an executive steering committee of local mayors and DEP officials.

“The project lead must also facilitate regular meetings and workshops to keep stakeholders informed and engaged throughout the process, addressing any challenges or feedback promptly,” the RFP said.

The TWW system relies upon surface water from the Delaware River to meet demand and provide an average of 28 million gallons per day (MGD) with summer peaks of 33 MGD.

For more information and details on the RFP, click here.

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