TWW's Legionella Mitigation, Updates, and Information

TWW continues to work with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, New Jersey Department of Health, Environmental Protection Agency, and local officials on Legionella analysis and mitigation in our system. 

 

TWW updates this information resource for our customers and the general public every Friday starting April 7. Please direct questions and suggestions to TWW's Office of Communications and Community Relations at (609) 989-3033.

How to Reach TWW

For account-related questions, call 1-866-TWW-BLUE. For water emergencies, such as leaks, water main breaks, and damaged fire hydrants, call (609) 989-3222. You can reach our Meter Shop at (609) 989-3225. To sign up for TWW's Reverse 911 system, click here.

 

To learn more about your rights as a utility customer, click here.

 

In addition to this resource, learn more about Legionella and Legionnaires' disease at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) website. 

Here are TWW's most recent Legionella mitigation updates and other information in chronological order: 

May 19, 2023


In Customers' Mailboxes Next Week: How To Reduce Risks of Legionella Exposure - A TWW H2Open Education Resource

 

Look for our H2Open Education Resource brochures on "How to reduce risks of Legionella exposure" in your mailboxes during the week of May 22. TWW's nearly 63,000 customers will receive this vital information in English and Spanish, messaging that is part of the water utility's Legionella Communications Plan. Also, TWW will distribute the brochures to government offices, including service-area township Health Officers.

 

To see the Legionella brochure in English, click here.

 

To see the Legionella brochure in Spanish, click here.

May 12, 2023

Personnel from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Trenton Water Works (TWW) continue to execute a monthslong Low-Velocity Water Main Flushing Program announced on April 1.

 

The program aims to increase chlorine levels in targeted areas of the TWW system to mitigate conditions contributing to the growth of pathogens, including Legionella. 

 

Data collected and analyzed by the program will inform the permanent installation of manual and automated water-main flushing equipment to help maintain optimum chlorine levels and high water quality.

 

Residents need to know that fire hydrants opened and equipped with specialized equipment to facilitate the low-velocity water main flushing may remain open for extended periods with signage. Please do not tamper with flowing hydrants.

 

Our directive on nonemergency use of our fire hydrants without authorization remains in place. If fire hydrant use is needed, except in emergencies, please call Tim London at (609) 989-3222 for approval.

 

TWW continues to execute its communications plan regarding its Legionella mitigation with print ads appearing in service-area newspapers on June 1 and education brochures in English and Spanish that our nearly 63,000 customers will receive in the mail, critical messaging that will continue through the summer and longer.

 

To learn more about TWW's Legionella mitigation, operational, and capital work, including removing lead infrastructure, call its Office of Communications and Community Relations at (609) 989-3033. Also, follow TWW on Facebook.

May 5, 2023

 

TWW's management team, led by Acting Director Sean Semple, continues to advance with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection under a Unilateral Administrative Order (October 12, 2022) the following highlighted operational and capital endeavors:

 

Operations

  • Low-Velocity Water Main Flushing Program: TWW has completed three weeks of low-velocity flushing at fire hydrants in targeted areas throughout the service area. These efforts will continue into the summer months to optimize chlorine residuals which help mitigate pathogens' growth, including Legionella. These efforts include opening fire hydrants, sometimes for extended periods, and sampling until the area receives optimal chlorine residuals. By conducting these efforts, TWW will be able to identify areas requiring permanent flushing devices. 
  • Pennington Avenue Reservoir: Recently, Trenton City Council approved a resolution for TWW to engage a consultant to assist in developing a comprehensive plan to strengthen the management of the 100-million-gallon asset. Also, scientists from Princeton Hydro, a Trenton-based engineering firm, conducted various tests from a small deployed boat, work that will help us improve water quality.
  • Residential Shutoffs Temporarily Suspended: We have temporarily suspended residential service interruptions for unpaid bills to allow customers struggling with payment challenges to access utility assistance programs, such as the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP). This pause does not apply to commercial or business accounts. Questions? Visit waterassistance.nj.gov or call 2-1-1. See the news release we issued on May 4 in Adobe Portable Document Format.
  • TWW Communications: TWW's LIHWAP direct mail piece to our nearly 63,000 valued customers drops during the week of April 30. We distributed thousands of LIHWAP pamphlets to various requestors. And we are preparing to raise awareness of reducing Legionella risks using direct mail and print advertising.

 

Capital Projects

  • Storage and Distribution Improvements: TWW is advancing a minimum two-year project to build two 8-million-gallon storage tanks at 942 Prospect Street. We will demolish the existing buildings once we have cleaned up the site, removing any debris and hazardous material. We are targeting next spring, 2024, to begin constructing the concrete tanks, and we will execute a communications plan to keep residents informed about the project's progress and goals.

 

Questions? Call TWW's Office of Communications and Community Relations at (609) 989-3033, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. TWW is closed on federal and municipal holidays.


April 28, 2023

TWW's Low-Velocity Water Main Flushing Program Is Underway

 

Earlier this week, TWW started flushing water mains at a low velocity using specialized equipment throughout its water distribution system, a months-long program intended to raise chlorine in parts of the TWW system to mitigate conditions that promote the growth of pathogens, including Legionella. We will allow fire hydrants to flow for extended periods for sample taking, and equipment used by TWW personnel may remain in place overnight with signage. During the program period, service-area residents may notice a chlorine smell, which is normal.

 

  • Robocalling Residents About TWW's Low-Velocity Water Main Flushing: TWW used its Reverse 911 system, TWW-Connects, to notify customers and service-area residents signed up to receive system messaging about the low-velocity water main flushing. TWW will deploy another Robocall at noon on Saturday, April 29, and we will process requests for removal from the system within 72 hours. TWW uses the state contract vendor ONSOLVE CodeRED for Reverse 911 system services.

 

  • Robocalling Our Customers About Help To Pay Waters Bills: TWW used its Robocall system on April 23 to convey a message about the availability of the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) and a current temporary pause on residential service disconnections, but not commercial accounts. Residents can sign up for TWW-Connects alerts by clicking here.

 

 

Useful Links

 

Click here to see and download an Adobe PDF of the public notice we issued on April 1.

 

Click here to see and download a Legionella FAQ Sheet. 

 

Click here to see and download a Legionella and Legionnaires' Disease Q&A Sheet. 

 

TWW customers and service-area residents can learn more about Legionella at the NJDEP's webpage at dep.nj.gov/trentonwater/legionella. 


April 21, 2023

TWW's Low-Velocity Water Main Flushing Program Begins Next Week

 

We (TWW) announced on April 20 that we would begin low-velocity flushing of water mains using specialized equipment throughout our 683-mile water distribution system next week. This activity will continue through May, possibly longer. TWW personnel will execute the flushing during regular business hours, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Equipment used by our personnel may sometimes remain in place overnight with signage. Click here to read the press release issued on Thursday. 

 

Click here to see and download an Adobe PDF of the public notice we issued on April 1.

 

"The goal of the low-velocity water main flushing is to mitigate conditions that promote the growth of pathogens, including Legionella, by increasing and sustaining chlorine residuals. Once we achieve this water-treatment goal, we will execute additional action steps to improve water quality in the TWW system.

 

Low-velocity water main flushing is a conventional water-industry method that uses specialized equipment attached to a fire hydrant to restrict the flow to such levels that the sediment within a water main is not disturbed or scoured. The procedure also allows for eliminating stagnant water and optimizing chlorine disinfection to minimize the conditions contributing to pathogens' growth, such as Legionella, a type of bacterium found naturally in freshwater environments (e.g., lakes and streams).

 

During the flushing program, service-area residents should not notice any changes in their water, such as brown or discolored water. However, residents may notice a chlorine smell as TWW personnel work to increase chlorine levels in parts of the water distribution system.

 

We are working with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) on Legionella mitigation.

 

We've expanded systemwide monitoring for Legionella via sampling locations approved by the NJDEP, including storage tanks, the water-filtration plant on Route 29 South in Trenton, and the 100 million-gallon Pennington Avenue Reservoir.

 

On April 3, several teams comprising personnel from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the NJDEP, and we commenced taking and analyzing water samples from fire hydrants in our service area to determine which parts of its water distribution system will undergo low-velocity water main flushing, data that will inform flushing activity throughout the system in the weeks and months ahead.

 

TWW customers and service-area residents can learn more about Legionella at the NJDEP's webpage at dep.nj.gov/trentonwater/legionella. 

 

If you have questions about TWW's Legionella mitigation, call our Office of Communications and Community Relations at (609) 989-3033, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

April 14, 2023

TWW Begins Testing for Legionella Systemwide Using a Method Approved by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection

 

On April 10, led by TWW's Chief Chemist DiAsia Brooks, TWW began systemwide monitoring for Legionella via sampling locations approved by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). The NJDEP approved the Legionella culture method for analysis. TWW monitors various Revised Total Coliform Rule (RCTR) locations, including storage tanks, the water-filtration plant, and the 100 million-gallon Pennington Avenue Reservoir. This work is part of TWW's comprehensive Legionella mitigation plan executed with the NJDEP and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). To learn more about reducing Legionella risks, click here.

 

It is important to note that sampling and low-velocity flushing to raise chlorine residuals in targeted areas of TWW's water-distribution system will continue over the next several weeks. TWW will provide the specific locations on its Legionella Mitigation, Updates, and Information webpage at trentonwaterworks.org/legionella. Click here to read the low-velocity flushing public notice issued on April 1.

 

As TWW advances its multifaceted work to strengthen operations and improve water quality under a Unilateral Consent Order, it is essential to understand how the water utility engages its customers and service-area consumers.

 

TWW communicates with its customers and service-area consumers in various ways: direct mail, conventional media outlets, advertising, Facebook, and municipal government websites for regular communications. 

 

During an emergency, the water utility utilizes its Reverse 911 system, TWW-Connects (CodeRed), and coordinates communications and messaging, as needed, with service-area officials, OEM personnel, state government officials, and regulators, guided by its Emergency Response Plan (ERP). 

 

To receive a Robocall, text message, or e-mail from TWW-Connects, TWW encourages residents to sign up for a "managed account" or as a "guest" online. Click here to sign up at the Community Notification Enrollment page of the OnSolve/CodeRed website.

 

For updates on TWW's activities, follow the water utility on Facebook.

 

If you have questions about TWW-Connects, TWW's Legionella mitigation, or anything else, call TWW's Office of Communications and Community Relations at (609) 989-3033, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

April 7, 2023

TWW, NJDEP, and EPA Teams Are Taking Water Samples for Analysis

On April 3, several teams comprising personnel from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), and TWW commenced taking and analyzing water samples from hydrants in TWW's service area to determine which parts of our 683-mile water distribution system will undergo low-velocity water main flushing this month for proper distribution of chlorine. This essential work is part of TWW's Legionella mitigation. To learn more about reducing Legionella risks, click here. If you have questions, please call TWW's Office of Communications and Community Relations at (609) 989-3033, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

April 1, 2023

This Month, TWW Will Execute a Low-Velocity Water Main Flushing Program To Increase Water Circulation in Its Distribution System and Increase and Optimize Chlorine Levels


Trenton Water Works (TWW) continues to partner with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH), and the affected local health departments to investigate factors that may be promoting the growth of Legionella bacteria and evaluate remedial actions that we are taking to improve water quality and reduce Legionella in the water system.

 

What are we doing?

 

Under its October 12, 2022, Unilateral Administrative Order, which provides the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) with direct operational oversight authority, NJDEP has been working with TWW to implement strategies to optimize the operation of the treatment plant and the distribution system. To help address Legionella in its water system, TWW will initiate a low-velocity water main flushing program throughout its service area in early April 2023 to increase the water circulation throughout the distribution system and to increase and optimize chlorine levels. Low-velocity, or conventional flushing, restricts the hydrant flow to such levels that the sediment within the pipes is not disturbed or scoured. The goal is to optimize chlorine disinfection to minimize the conditions contributing to pathogens' growth, such as Legionella. 

 

What does this mean as our customer?

 

TWW employees will work throughout TWW's service area to sample or flush fire hydrants using specific equipment to keep hydrant flows at the necessary velocities. We do not expect customers to experience noticeable water quality changes, such as discoloration, in their homes or businesses during the program. TWW will also notify customers when flushing activities occur in their service areas.

 

TWW customers on home dialysis should contact their kidney specialist to check if additional testing of water for chlorine residual, or any other measures, is required before use. Additionally, customers using tap water for aquariums should monitor the chlorine-residual levels before use and treat them as needed.

 

Residents are encouraged to contact Trenton Water Works at (609) 989-3033 or the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Safe Drinking Water at (609) 292-5550 with any questions or comments. You can also visit dep.nj.gov/trentonwater.

 

You can find Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Legionnaires' disease, including best management practices to prevent Legionella from entering your premise plumbing, on the New Jersey Department of Health website.


You can download an Adobe PDF version of this public notice by clicking here.

March 29, 2023

Legionella Analysis and Testing by the EPA

TWW continues to work with federal, state, and local officials on Legionella analysis and mitigation in our system. Next week, representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and TWW personnel will visit sites throughout our system to take water samples for analysis from fire hydrants. Data gleaned from the sampling regime will inform a low-velocity water main flushing plan intended to raise chlorine residuals in targeted parts of the TWW system. Location and schedule information regarding the low-velocity water main flushing will be available here. Also, TWW will provide weekly updates on our Legionella mitigation every Friday starting April 7. 

 

If you have any questions, please call TWW's Office of Communications and Community Relations at (609) 989-3033. We are at your service.

March 28, 2023

City of Trenton Mayor W. Reed Gusciora Reassures Customers: TWW Is Working with State Officials on Legionella Mitigation, Is Making Progress, and Will Provide Weekly Updates

"I want to reassure our customers, the general public, government officials, and stakeholders that TWW is working diligently and cooperatively with state and local officials and sharing sample and testing data to manage Legionella in the TWW system," said Mayor Gusciora. Read the Mayor's press release by clicking here.

March 27, 2023

News from the New Jersey Department of Health 

On Monday, the New Jersey Department of Health issued a news release regarding new cases of Legionnaires' disease in Trenton Water Works' (TWW) service area. Click here to read DOH's news release. TWW is working with federal, state, and local officials on Legionella mitigation, providing information and weekly updates here starting Friday, April 7. 

 

If you have questions, please call TWW's Office of Communications and Community Relations at (609) 989-3033.

 

For property owners and managers, learn more about reducing Legionella risks here.

August 31, 2022

TWW and State Officials Investigate Legionella

TWW is working with state and local health officials to troubleshoot several cases of Legionnaires' disease in Hamilton Township, an issue TWW has been monitoring since September 2020. 

 

Here is what you need to know:

 

Legionnaires' disease is a type of pneumonia (lung infection) caused by Legionella bacteria. People can get sick when they breathe in tiny water droplets or accidentally swallow water containing Legionella into the lungs.

 

Legionella is a bacteria found naturally in fresh-water environments and within soils. It is a health concern when it grows and spreads in building water systems and is of the highest risk during warmer months when water temperatures are higher.

 

Learn more and Legionella and Legionnaires' disease on the CDC website.

 

If you have questions, please call TWW's Office of Communications and Community Relations at (609) 989-3033.