An employee at Trenton Water Works falsified drinking water monitoring reports for 15 months, eroding trust in the long-troubled utility that serves 200,000 residents in New Jersey.
Dana DiFilippo reports for New Jersey Monitor.
In short:
- Trenton Water Works admitted a former employee falsified water quality tests from 2022-2023, leaving the water unmonitored for contaminants for over a year.
- The revelation follows years of mismanagement at the utility and comes after state oversight began, prompting a $235,000 penalty for noncompliance.
- Officials insist the water is safe but face skepticism from residents and suburban leaders, who demand transparency and reforms.
Key quote:
“Falsified data and inadequate testing for contaminants erode public confidence and raise serious questions about the utility’s ability to provide safe, reliable drinking water.”
— Bert Steinmann, mayor of Ewing
Why this matters:
Access to safe drinking water is fundamental to public health. Lapses in monitoring raise concerns about potential health impacts, especially in communities historically plagued by infrastructure neglect. Transparency and investment are critical to restoring trust.
