Community Water System · PWSID NJ1111001

Trenton Water Works

Serves 217,000 peopleSurface WaterOwner: Local GovernmentTrenton, New Jersey
1 open treatment violation.

Open for: Lead and Copper Rule. EPA counts treatment-technique violations as health-based: a required protective step was not done. It is not a measurement of contamination.

On record since 2002: 131 violations. 9 over the limit · 11 treatment lapses · 104 missed or late tests · 7 notices or reports. Most recent began 2024-10-01.

For this year's test results, ask the utility for its annual Consumer Confidence Report. Every community system must publish one.

9Over the limit
11Treatment lapse1 open
104Missed or late test1 open
7Notice or report1 open

More violations on record than 99% of active water systems in New Jersey. Small systems with no staff chemist often rack up missed-test violations; big utilities rarely do.

The record, year by year

2002 · Missed or late test: 12005 · Missed or late test: 1200520102011 · Notice or report: 12012 · Notice or report: 12013 · Notice or report: 12014 · Notice or report: 120152016 · Missed or late test: 42017 · Over the limit: 12017 · Treatment lapse: 22017 · Missed or late test: 62018 · Over the limit: 62018 · Treatment lapse: 42018 · Notice or report: 12019 · Treatment lapse: 22019 · Missed or late test: 32020 · Treatment lapse: 12020 · Missed or late test: 320202021 · Over the limit: 12021 · Treatment lapse: 22021 · Missed or late test: 62021 · Notice or report: 22022 · Missed or late test: 92022 · Missed or late test: 92023 · Missed or late test: 702023 · Missed or late test: 702023 · Missed or late test: 702023 · Missed or late test: 702023 · Missed or late test: 702023 · Missed or late test: 702023 · Missed or late test: 702023 · Missed or late test: 702023 · Missed or late test: 702023 · Missed or late test: 702023 · Missed or late test: 702023 · Missed or late test: 702024 · Over the limit: 12024 · Missed or late test: 12025
One square ≈ 6 violations (rounded up), by the year they began. Empty columns are years with nothing on EPA's record.
7% over the limit · 98% treatment lapse · 1179% missed or late test · 1045% notice or report · 7

Across New Jersey, 74% of violations are missed or late tests and 2% are water over a limit.

How far over the limit

at the limit2×5×10×100×+Trihalomethanes (TTHM)Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)2024-10-01 · Trihalomethanes (TTHM): measured 0.0810 MG/L vs limit 0.0800 MG/L (1.0×)2021-07-01 · Trihalomethanes (TTHM): measured 0.0820 MG/L vs limit 0.0800 MG/L (1.0×)2018-10-01 · Trihalomethanes (TTHM): measured 0.0880 MG/L vs limit 0.0800 MG/L (1.1×)2018-07-01 · Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5): measured 0.0630 MG/L vs limit 0.0600 MG/L (1.1×)2018-07-01 · Trihalomethanes (TTHM): measured 0.0910 MG/L vs limit 0.0800 MG/L (1.1×)2018-04-01 · Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5): measured 0.0670 MG/L vs limit 0.0600 MG/L (1.1×)2018-01-01 · Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5): measured 0.0710 MG/L vs limit 0.0600 MG/L (1.2×)2018-01-01 · Trihalomethanes (TTHM): measured 0.0810 MG/L vs limit 0.0800 MG/L (1.0×)2017-10-01 · Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5): measured 0.0620 MG/L vs limit 0.0600 MG/L (1.0×)
Each dot is one over-the-limit violation: the measured value divided by the limit it broke, on a log scale. Most legal limits for chemicals are running averages set for a lifetime of drinking, so “just over” and “ten times over” are very different news. Hover a dot for the numbers.

What you can do

  • Lead: Run cold water for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using it for drinking or cooking, especially after the water has been sitting for several hours. Use only cold water for cooking and baby formula. Consider a water filter certified to remove lead (look for NSF/ANSI Standard 53 certification). Have your water tested if you live in an older home.

Lead & copper at the tap

Utilities sample taps in homes most likely to have lead pipes, and report the 90th-percentile result: 9 in 10 homes sampled came in at or below this number. Above the red line (the action level) the utility must act. The action level is not a safe level; EPA's health goal for lead is zero. EPA's file does not date these results, so they are shown highest first.

Lead, 90th percentile 21 results on file · action level 15 ppb

19.7 ppb
19.7 ppb
17.6 ppb
17.6 ppb
17.1 ppb
14.8 ppb
12.7 ppb
10.2 ppb
10 ppb
10 ppb
7.5 ppb
7.2 ppb
5.6 ppb
5 ppb
4.2 ppb
4 ppb
4 ppb
3.5 ppb
3.3 ppb
3.3 ppb
2.2 ppb

Open now (3)

  1. 2020-05-21Lead and Copper RuleLead Service Line Replacement (LSLR)Open
  2. 2018-03-03Public NoticePN Violation for NPDWR ViolationOpen
  3. 2002-07-01DBP Stage 1Monitoring and Reporting (DBP)Open

Every violation on record

  1. 2024-10-01Trihalomethanes (TTHM)MCL, Averagemeasured 0.0810 MG/L · limit 0.0800 MG/LPeriod ended · no return to compliance on file
  2. 2024-07-01Lead and Copper RuleWater Quality Parameter M/RBack in compliance
  3. 2023-12-28Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)Failure Submit IDSE/Subpart V Plan RptBack in compliance
  4. 2023-11-01Surface water treatment (SWTR)Monitoring of Treatment (SWTR-Filter)Period ended · no return to compliance on file
  5. 2023-11-01Revised Total Coliform RuleMONBack in compliance
  6. 2023-10-01ChlorineMonitoring and Reporting (DBP)Period ended · no return to compliance on file
  7. 2023-10-01ChlorineMonitoring and Reporting (DBP)Back in compliance
  8. 2023-10-01Surface water treatment (SWTR)Monitoring of Treatment (SWTR-Filter)Period ended · no return to compliance on file
  9. 2023-10-01Revised Total Coliform RuleMONBack in compliance
  10. 2023-10-01Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)Monitoring and Reporting (DBP)Period ended · no return to compliance on file
  11. 2023-10-01Trihalomethanes (TTHM)Monitoring and Reporting (DBP)Period ended · no return to compliance on file
  12. 2023-09-29Lead and Copper RuleLead Consumer NoticeBack in compliance
  13. 2023-09-01Surface water treatment (SWTR)Monitoring of Treatment (SWTR-Filter)Period ended · no return to compliance on file
  14. 2023-09-01Revised Total Coliform RuleMONBack in compliance
  15. 2023-08-01Surface water treatment (SWTR)Monitoring of Treatment (SWTR-Filter)Period ended · no return to compliance on file
  16. 2023-08-01Revised Total Coliform RuleMONBack in compliance
  17. 2023-07-01Chlorine ×3Monitoring and Reporting (DBP)Period ended · no return to compliance on file
  18. 2023-07-01Lead and Copper Rule ×2Water Quality Parameter M/RBack in compliance
  19. 2023-07-01Surface water treatment (SWTR)Monitoring of Treatment (SWTR-Filter)Period ended · no return to compliance on file
  20. 2023-07-01Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)Monitoring and Reporting (DBP)Period ended · no return to compliance on file
  21. 2023-07-01Trihalomethanes (TTHM)Monitoring and Reporting (DBP)Period ended · no return to compliance on file
  22. 2023-07-01Revised Total Coliform RuleMONBack in compliance
  23. 2023-06-01Surface water treatment (SWTR)Monitoring of Treatment (SWTR-Filter)Period ended · no return to compliance on file
  24. 2023-06-01Revised Total Coliform RuleMONBack in compliance
  25. 2023-05-01Surface water treatment (SWTR)Monitoring of Treatment (SWTR-Filter)Period ended · no return to compliance on file
Show the other 96 entries
  1. 2023-05-01Revised Total Coliform RuleMONBack in compliance
  2. 2023-04-01Surface water treatment (SWTR)Monitoring of Treatment (SWTR-Filter)Period ended · no return to compliance on file
  3. 2023-04-01Chlorine ×3Monitoring and Reporting (DBP)Period ended · no return to compliance on file
  4. 2023-04-01Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)Monitoring and Reporting (DBP)Period ended · no return to compliance on file
  5. 2023-04-01Trihalomethanes (TTHM)Monitoring and Reporting (DBP)Period ended · no return to compliance on file
  6. 2023-04-01Revised Total Coliform RuleMONBack in compliance
  7. 2023-03-01Surface water treatment (SWTR)Monitoring of Treatment (SWTR-Filter)Period ended · no return to compliance on file
  8. 2023-03-01Revised Total Coliform RuleMONBack in compliance
  9. 2023-03-01Surface water filtration (IESWTR)Monitoring, Turbidity (Enhanced SWTR)Period ended · no return to compliance on file
  10. 2023-02-01Surface water treatment (SWTR)Monitoring of Treatment (SWTR-Filter)Period ended · no return to compliance on file
  11. 2023-02-01Revised Total Coliform RuleMONBack in compliance
  12. 2023-01-01Surface water treatment (SWTR)Monitoring of Treatment (SWTR-Filter)Period ended · no return to compliance on file
  13. 2023-01-01Lead and Copper RuleWater Quality Parameter M/RBack in compliance
  14. 2023-01-01Chlorine ×3Monitoring and Reporting (DBP)Period ended · no return to compliance on file
  15. 2023-01-01Revised Total Coliform RuleMONBack in compliance
  16. 2023-01-01Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)Monitoring and Reporting (DBP)Period ended · no return to compliance on file
  17. 2023-01-01Trihalomethanes (TTHM)Monitoring and Reporting (DBP)Period ended · no return to compliance on file
  18. 2023-01-01StyreneMonitoring, RegularBack in compliance
  19. 2023-01-01EthylbenzeneMonitoring, RegularBack in compliance
  20. 2023-01-01TolueneMonitoring, RegularBack in compliance
  21. 2023-01-01BenzeneMonitoring, RegularBack in compliance
  22. 2023-01-01ChlorobenzeneMonitoring, RegularBack in compliance
  23. 2023-01-01TetrachloroethyleneMonitoring, RegularBack in compliance
  24. 2023-01-011,1,2-TrichloroethaneMonitoring, RegularBack in compliance
  25. 2023-01-01TrichloroethyleneMonitoring, RegularBack in compliance
  26. 2023-01-011,2-DichloropropaneMonitoring, RegularBack in compliance
  27. 2023-01-01Carbon tetrachlorideMonitoring, RegularBack in compliance
  28. 2023-01-011,1,1-TrichloroethaneMonitoring, RegularBack in compliance
  29. 2023-01-011,2-DichloroethaneMonitoring, RegularBack in compliance
  30. 2023-01-01trans-1,2-DichloroethyleneMonitoring, RegularBack in compliance
  31. 2023-01-011,1-DichloroethyleneMonitoring, RegularBack in compliance
  32. 2023-01-01Vinyl chlorideMonitoring, RegularBack in compliance
  33. 2023-01-01p-DichlorobenzeneMonitoring, RegularBack in compliance
  34. 2023-01-01o-DichlorobenzeneMonitoring, RegularBack in compliance
  35. 2023-01-01DichloromethaneMonitoring, RegularBack in compliance
  36. 2023-01-01Xylenes, TotalMonitoring, RegularBack in compliance
  37. 2023-01-01cis-1,2-DichloroethyleneMonitoring, RegularBack in compliance
  38. 2023-01-011,2,4-TrichlorobenzeneMonitoring, RegularBack in compliance
  39. 2023-01-01NitrateMonitoring, RegularBack in compliance
  40. 2023-01-01Lead and Copper RuleFollow-up Or Routine LCR Tap M/RBack in compliance
  41. 2022-12-01Surface water treatment (SWTR)Monitoring of Treatment (SWTR-Filter)Period ended · no return to compliance on file
  42. 2022-12-01Revised Total Coliform RuleMONBack in compliance
  43. 2022-11-01Surface water treatment (SWTR)Monitoring of Treatment (SWTR-Filter)Period ended · no return to compliance on file
  44. 2022-11-01Revised Total Coliform RuleMONBack in compliance
  45. 2022-10-01Chlorine ×2Monitoring and Reporting (DBP)Period ended · no return to compliance on file
  46. 2022-10-01Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)Monitoring and Reporting (DBP)Period ended · no return to compliance on file
  47. 2022-10-01Trihalomethanes (TTHM)Monitoring and Reporting (DBP)Period ended · no return to compliance on file
  48. 2022-01-01Lead and Copper RuleFollow-up Or Routine LCR Tap M/RBack in compliance
  49. 2021-08-18Public NoticePN Violation for NPDWR ViolationBack in compliance
  50. 2021-07-01Lead and Copper RuleWater Quality Parameter M/RBack in compliance
  51. 2021-07-01Surface water filtration (IESWTR)Single Turbidity Exceed (Enhanced SWTR)Back in compliance
  52. 2021-07-01Trihalomethanes (TTHM)MCL, Averagemeasured 0.0820 MG/L · limit 0.0800 MG/LPeriod ended · no return to compliance on file
  53. 2021-07-01Surface water filtration (IESWTR)Monitoring, Turbidity (Enhanced SWTR)Period ended · no return to compliance on file
  54. 2021-07-01Consumer Confidence RuleCCR Complete Failure to ReportBack in compliance
  55. 2021-04-01Surface water filtration (IESWTR)Monitoring, Turbidity (Enhanced SWTR)Back in compliance
  56. 2021-01-01FluorideMonitoring, RegularBack in compliance
  57. 2021-01-01SodiumMonitoring, RegularBack in compliance
  58. 2021-01-01Lead and Copper RuleWQP Entry Point/Tap Treatment Technique Non-ComplianceBack in compliance
  59. 2021-01-01Lead and Copper RuleWater Quality Parameter M/RPeriod ended · no return to compliance on file
  60. 2020-07-011, 2-Dibromo-3-ChloropropaneMonitoring, RegularBack in compliance
  61. 2020-07-01Ethylene DibromideMonitoring, RegularBack in compliance
  62. 2020-07-01Surface water filtration (IESWTR)Monitoring, Turbidity (Enhanced SWTR)Back in compliance
  63. 2020-05-21Lead and Copper RuleLead Service Line Replacement (LSLR)Open
  64. 2019-07-01Lead and Copper RuleLead Service Line Replacement (LSLR)Back in compliance
  65. 2019-05-01Surface water treatment (SWTR)Monitoring of Treatment (SWTR-Filter)Back in compliance
  66. 2019-05-01Surface water filtration (IESWTR)Monitoring, Turbidity (Enhanced SWTR)Back in compliance
  67. 2019-01-11Lead and Copper RulePublic EducationBack in compliance
  68. 2019-01-01Lead and Copper RuleFollow-up Or Routine LCR Tap M/RBack in compliance
  69. 2018-10-01Trihalomethanes (TTHM)MCL, Averagemeasured 0.0880 MG/L · limit 0.0800 MG/LBack in compliance
  70. 2018-08-01Lead and Copper RulePublic EducationBack in compliance
  71. 2018-07-01Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)MCL, Averagemeasured 0.0630 MG/L · limit 0.0600 MG/LBack in compliance
  72. 2018-07-01Trihalomethanes (TTHM)MCL, Averagemeasured 0.0910 MG/L · limit 0.0800 MG/LBack in compliance
  73. 2018-07-01Lead and Copper RuleLead Service Line Replacement (LSLR)Back in compliance
  74. 2018-04-01Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)MCL, Averagemeasured 0.0670 MG/L · limit 0.0600 MG/LBack in compliance
  75. 2018-03-03Public NoticePN Violation for NPDWR ViolationOpen
  76. 2018-01-01Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)MCL, Averagemeasured 0.0710 MG/L · limit 0.0600 MG/LBack in compliance
  77. 2018-01-01Trihalomethanes (TTHM)MCL, Averagemeasured 0.0810 MG/L · limit 0.0800 MG/LBack in compliance
  78. 2018-01-01Lead and Copper RuleOCCT/SOWT Study/RecommendationBack in compliance
  79. 2018-01-01Surface water treatment (SWTR)Treatment Technique (SWTR and GWR)Back in compliance
  80. 2017-11-01Surface water treatment (SWTR)Monitoring of Treatment (SWTR-Filter)Back in compliance
  81. 2017-10-01Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)MCL, Averagemeasured 0.0620 MG/L · limit 0.0600 MG/LBack in compliance
  82. 2017-10-01Surface water filtration (IESWTR)Monthly Turbidity Exceed (Enhanced SWTR)Back in compliance
  83. 2017-10-01Surface water treatment (SWTR)Monitoring of Treatment (SWTR-Filter)Back in compliance
  84. 2017-09-01Surface water treatment (SWTR)Monitoring of Treatment (SWTR-Filter)Back in compliance
  85. 2017-07-01Lead and Copper RuleWater Quality Parameter M/RBack in compliance
  86. 2017-06-01Surface water treatment (SWTR)Treatment Technique (SWTR and GWR)Back in compliance
  87. 2017-01-01Lead and Copper Rule ×2Water Quality Parameter M/RBack in compliance
  88. 2016-07-01Lead and Copper Rule ×2Water Quality Parameter M/RBack in compliance
  89. 2016-02-01Surface water treatment (SWTR)Monitoring of Treatment (SWTR-Filter)Back in compliance
  90. 2016-02-01Surface water filtration (IESWTR)Monitoring, Turbidity (Enhanced SWTR)Back in compliance
  91. 2014-07-01Consumer Confidence RuleCCR Complete Failure to ReportBack in compliance
  92. 2013-07-01Consumer Confidence RuleCCR Complete Failure to ReportBack in compliance
  93. 2012-07-01Consumer Confidence RuleCCR Complete Failure to ReportBack in compliance
  94. 2011-07-01Consumer Confidence RuleCCR Complete Failure to ReportBack in compliance
  95. 2005-10-01Lead and Copper RuleFollow-up Or Routine LCR Tap M/RBack in compliance
  96. 2002-07-01DBP Stage 1Monitoring and Reporting (DBP)Open

System details

Population served217,000
Service connections62,403
Water sourceSurface Water
System typeCommunity Water System
OwnerLocal Government
StatusActive
CityTrenton
EPA ZIP on file08638

Areas served

  • Mercer County

Reading this record

Trenton Water Works is a community water system that draws from surface water and serves about 217,000 people in Trenton, New Jersey. Everything above comes from the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), where states report every violation by every public water system.

Four kinds of violation. Only one is a measurement of the water: over the limit means a test came back above a legal maximum (an MCL). A treatment lapse means a required protective step was not done, such as disinfection, filtration, fixing a defect an inspector found, or filing a lead-pipe inventory. A missed or late test means a required test was skipped or never reported. That is the most common kind, and the most misread: it does not mean the water was bad, and it does not mean the water was fine. Notices and reports covers public notices and the annual Consumer Confidence Report.

Status. “Back in compliance” means the state recorded a return to compliance. “Period ended” means the violation's compliance period is over but no return to compliance was ever filed, which is common in older records. EPA's federal copy lags state records by months, so call the utility for anything current.