Lawrence Township residents whose water is provided by Trenton Water Works can speak with Trenton Water Works representatives one-on-one during a special forum set for Oct. 18 at the Lawrence Senior Center, 30 Darrah Lane East.
The two-hour forum, which will run from 7-9 p.m., is the fourth in a series of educational forums designed to encourage attendees to get more information about the City of Trenton-run water utility. Forums have been held in Hamilton, Ewing and Hopewell townships.
One hour of the two-hour forum will be devoted to a question-and-answer session. Attendees can speak directly with administrators, customer service representatives, filtration plant and water system distribution experts, and communications staff.
Tables will be set up that explain the science of water treatment, lead in drinking water and local sources of lead, the lead service line replacement program and the water utility’s corrosion-control strategy.
The Trenton Water Works utility has come under fire for malfunctions at the plant in recent months.
In January, the Trenton Water Works issued a “boil water” advisory and also asked customers to reduce their water use following a malfunction at the water treatment plant.
The water utility also violated a drinking water standard for haloacetic acids during the last quarter of 2017 and the first quarter of 2018, but the violation did not represent a threat and no emergency notification was required.
Haloacetic acids are a disinfectant byproduct that forms when naturally occurring organic matter combines with chlorine, which is a disinfectant added to kill bacteria. Customers were not required to boil water or take any other actions.
As a result of those issues, the City of Trenton and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection reached an agreement in February that detailed a series of steps to address infrastructure, staffing, operational and public notification needs.
The administrative consent order called for the filling of vacant staff positions over the next year, along with measures to minimize water treatment plant disruptions at the Delaware River intake pipes due to low water conditions, debris, aquatic vegetation and ice.