Who We Are

Our Vision

Two staff members at a dispatch desk looking at computer monitors showing maps

To be a superior public water system with comprehensive, effective operations that are guided by the finest human capital applying science-based industry standards to produce excellence in water quality.

Our Mission

Three staff members review large printed plans spread on a table

As one of the largest and oldest public-water systems in the United States, Trenton Water Works strives to provide the finest drinking water that meets federal and state standards, and to maintain sewer operations that safeguard public health while also protecting the environment and critical watersheds. TWW works to achieve these important goals through the commitment of a dedicated and well-trained workforce and valuable contract vendors. The TWW mission is to operate with science-based water industry standards, innovation and accountability, supported by a culture that is transparent, communicative, and customer focused.

Two Trenton Water Works staff in safety vests beside a sign: Maintaining Quality Water, (609) 989-3033

Our Values

Transparent

Maintain high ethical standards and foster an operating environment of accountability to support the well-being of our customers.

Endeavor to build trust through consistent communications, excellence in customer-service delivery and attention to customer feedback to improve operations.

Continuously apply science-based, industry-standard processes and innovation to every aspect of our operations to address water-industry challenges.

Train and mentor employees and establish partnerships with public, vocational and higher education to build a workforce that is locally sourced, talented and leading edge.

Three workers in safety vests inside a shored excavation trench repairing a water pipe Two Trenton Water Works workers in safety vests using equipment on a pole at a street valve

Who We Are

Brick Trenton Water Works office building under a cloudy sky

Trenton Water Works
Trenton Water Works (TWW) is among the largest publicly owned, urban water utilities in the United States. It supplies an average of 27-million gallons of Delaware River-sourced drinking water per day to 63,000 metered customers. It services approximately 225,000 people in Trenton, parts of Hamilton Township, Ewing Township, Lawrence Township and Hopewell Township in Mercer County, New Jersey. 

Established more than 200 years ago, TWW has 119 employees who operate a sprawling 60-million-gallon water-filtration plant and water-distribution system that includes a 100-million-gallon reservoir. The system has 683 miles of transmission lines varying in size from 4 to 48 inches in diameter, three pump stations and five interconnections between TWW and other water purveyors.

Trenton Sewer Utility

The Trenton Sewer Utility protects the health of the public, Delaware River, and the surrounding Environment by providing the City of Trenton with dependable and efficient collection, treatment, and disposal of wastewater, storm-water, and biosolids that are generated within the city daily.

Trenton Sewer Utility houses a 20 mgd (million gallons/day) Waste Water Treatment Plant, treating both domestic and industrial sewage. It is a 24 hour/day, seven day/week operation. The plant must meet numerous State regulations.

The City has 180 miles of sanitary sewer mains, and 5 sanitary sewer lift stations. Most of the lines are in the streets or alleys. Some run through utility easements in grassy areas. Each year, the City cleans approximately one-fifth of the City’s sanitary sewer lines. Lines requiring a higher level of maintenance are cleaned more frequently. This routine maintenance helps to prevent blockages and backups.

The Sewer Utility is a secondary treatment plant which generates effluent — or outflow — of a very high quality which helps to safeguard the environment. Treated sewage commonly has over 97% of its suspended solids and over 97% of its 5-Day BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) removed before it is discharged into the Delaware River.

Sewer Utility personnel use specialized jetting and root cutting equipment, as well as TV monitoring, to maintain and improve system flow to assess pipe conditions and detect potential problem areas. Also part of the New Jersey One-Call System, maintenance personnel must respond to underground utility mark-out requests.

Aerial view of a wastewater treatment plant with round tanks next to a highway and river
Man in a cap talks on a desk phone in front of computer monitors showing a map

More About Us

Illustration: Budget & Finance

Budget & Finance

Funded by revenue from rates and fees charged for water and wastewater service.
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Illustration: For the Media

For the Media

Media inquiries and contacts for the Department of Water & Sewer.
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Illustration: From the Delaware to your Pipes

From the Delaware to your Pipes

How drinking water gets from the Delaware River to about 225,000 customers.
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Illustration: History

History

More than 200 years of Trenton's public water supply.
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Leadership

Director of Water and Sewer,
Sean Semple

City of Trenton Mayor,
W. Reed Gusciora, Esq.

Chief of Staff,
Jim Beach

Business Administrator,
Maria Richardson