DEP: Trenton Water Works at 'extremely high risk of systemic failure'
The public water system run by the city also serves four neighboring townships, including Ewing, Hamilton, Hopewell and Lawrence.
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The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is upping the pressure on Trenton officials for what it’s calling an “extremely high risk of systemic failure” at Trenton Water Works.
The public water system run by the city also serves four neighboring townships, including Ewing, Hamilton, Hopewell and Lawrence.
Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora and the DEP agree on one thing - the water is safe to drink.
But DEP Commissioner Shawn LaTourette says four potential failure points at the plant could jeopardize the water supply to Trenton Water Works’ more than 200,000 customers. Those include corroded pipes, electrical issues and a filtration system that’s only operating at half capacity.
The DEP says it’s the result of years of underfunding and mismanagement. But Gusciora says the DEP, which has overseen plant operations for three years, bears some of the blame.
RELATED: State DEP recommends overhaul of Trenton Water Works following scandal
“DEP has promised us that they would help us with middle management,” Gusciora said. “That never materialized. They promised us that they would help us with our intake system, which we did, at their guidance. They use their own examples as things against Trenton, when DEP is part and parcel of it.”
The DEP recommends restructuring into a regional public water entity.
Hopewell Township Mayor Courtney Peters-Manning said in a statement, “The suburban towns deserve a seat at the table. The time for action is now, and we cannot continue with the status quo.”
Gusciora supports a study on restructuring, but says the DEP is talking about rushing the process through a “hostile takeover.” He also wants to make sure the city receives compensation for what it owns.
“We would like to know the valuation of Trenton Water Works,” Gusciora said. “We’d like to know what the process is, and what the governance structure is, and job protection for Trenton Water Works employees.”
The DEP will present before the City Council on Thursday.
