Trenton Water Works Employee Falsified Water Quality Report For 5 Towns

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ — An employee of Trenton Water Works (TWW) has been fired for falsifying water quality reports for five towns between October 2022 and Dec. 31, 2023, officials said.

The employee was a water sample collector – one of the three employees responsible for the task.

The public was notified of this lapse by TWW in a letter dated Nov. 27. According to the letter, the Department of Environmental Protection found after an investigation that the TWW failed to meet state and federal drinking water standards during that time.

TWW serves five Mercer County towns – Lawrence, Ewing, Hamilton, Trenton, and Hopewell. It also provides service to Bordentown on a temporary basis.

Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora released a statement on Tuesday, calling the situation “deeply disturbing.”

“To ensure that acts like these do not reoccur, we have also taken decisive steps to strengthen oversight of our water sample collection process. This includes installing GPS tracking devices on fleet vehicles, pairing employees with supervisors, requiring photo documentation of sample sites, utilizing tablets with specialized software, and providing additional training,” Gusciora said.

Despite the falsified water quality report, Gusciora said that "at no point was the water provided to consumers unsafe to drink.”

“TWW has other valid data points to confirm water quality, and we remain fully compliant with SDWA regulations, as confirmed by NJDEP Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette,” Gusciora said.

But despite the reassurances for stronger oversight, officials of other townships have expressed their disappointment at this breach.

On Monday, Ewing Mayor Bert Steinmann said he shared the "frustration and mistrust” felt by many Ewing residents and neighboring communities. Steinmann said the actions of the employee erodes public confidence and raises “serious questions about the utility's ability to provide safe, reliable drinking water.”

“We are urging the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) to increase its regulatory scrutiny and to provide clear, ongoing communication about TWW's compliance and improvements. Additionally, Ewing Township will advocate for emergency measures to support residents with specific health concerns and for more robust long-term reforms in TWW's operations,” Steinmann said.

“Our residents deserve better, and we will continue to fight for the safety and quality of Ewing's water supply. Anyone with concerns or questions about their water quality is encouraged to reach out to TWW or consult their healthcare provider.”

Gusciora said that Trenton will continue to work with state regulators to educate customers about the measures they have taken and will continue to “guarantee the safety and quality” of drinking water.

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