Trenton Water Works
EPA ID: NJ1111001 · 217,000 people served · 45 ZIP codes
Unlike fully compliant utilities, Trenton Water Works has 29 outstanding EPA violations for approximately 217,000 residents.
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02
Compliance Trajectory
Worsening · Risk tier: High · 95% chance of violation in next 12 months
Violations went from 91 (2021) to 45 (2024). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Trenton Water Works Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary — Grade D
Service Area Demographics
The Trenton Water Works serves a community with a median household income of $112,614 and an estimated 427,793 residents across its service area. Approximately 64% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
Environmental Justice Note: 38% of the population in this service area is classified as disadvantaged under EPA's EJScreen criteria. Communities with higher disadvantaged populations often face disproportionate environmental and health burdens, including aging water infrastructure and limited resources for remediation.
🌊 Where Does Your Water Come From?
Trenton Water Works's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap.
About 1% of homes in Monmouth County, New Jersey rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.
Superfund Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 63th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites.
Infrastructure Risk
Detected Contaminants
How Trenton Water Works compares to EPA limits
What This Means For You
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.06 mg/L. Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.
Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 13 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
E. coli at 13 Zero tolerance (any positive sample triggers immediate action) exceeds the EPA maximum of Zero tolerance (any positive sample triggers immediate action). Severe GI illness; potentially fatal kidney failure in children. Consider UV disinfection (99.99%) filtration.
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.08 mg/L. Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.
Stage 1 DBP Rule at 9 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
PFAS Detected in Service Area
PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 102 detections recorded. 38 exceed federal EPA limits (4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS). 2 exceed state limits.
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) was detected in this water system. granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration can reduce exposure.
Find a certified water filter →Comparable Water Systems
Similar-sized systems in New Jersey
Estimated Remediation Costs
Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system
Based on national averages for common remediation projects. Actual costs vary by property. Only issues flagged by EPA, FEMA, or state data for each ZIP code are included.
System Overview
TRENTON WATER WORKS (EPA ID: NJ1111001) is a community water system in New Jersey that serves approximately 217,000 people from surface water sources.
This system provides water to 45 ZIP codes across 13 communities.
Average Home Safety Score: D (53/100)
Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.
Violation History
Recent Violations
| Date | Contaminant | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 11, 2025 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| January 1, 2025 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| October 1, 2024 | Stage 1 DBP Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| October 1, 2024 | Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Health-based | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2024 | Stage 1 DBP Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| December 28, 2023 | Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Monitoring | Resolved |
| November 1, 2023 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| November 1, 2023 | E. coli | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| October 1, 2023 | Revised Total Coliform Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| October 1, 2023 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| October 1, 2023 | E. coli | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| September 29, 2023 | Stage 1 DBP Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| September 1, 2023 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| September 1, 2023 | E. coli | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| August 1, 2023 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| August 1, 2023 | E. coli | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2023 | Stage 1 DBP Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2023 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2023 | Revised Total Coliform Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2023 | E. coli | Monitoring | Unresolved |
Contaminants Detected
The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting Failure | 13 | No |
| E. coli | Microbiological | 13 | No |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Failure | 9 | Yes |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 5 | No |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 4 | Yes |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 2 | Yes |
| Nickel | Inorganic | 1 | No |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 1 | No |
| Total Organic Carbon | Disinfection Byproducts | 1 | No |
| Total Coliform | Microbiological | 1 | No |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Failure | 1 | No |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Failure | 1 | No |
Health Risk Details
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) (EPA limit: 0.06 mg/L)
Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects At-risk groups: pregnant women, infants, long-term consumers of chlorinated municipal water.
Removal methods: granular activated carbon (GAC), carbon block filter, reverse osmosis. Find the right filter →
Lead & Copper
EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:
| ZIP Code | Lead Level | Exceeds Limit | Sample Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 08601 | 0.004 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 08602 | 0.004 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 08603 | 0.004 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 08604 | 0.004 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 08605 | 0.004 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 08606 | 0.004 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 08607 | 0.004 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 08608 | 0.004 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 08609 | 0.004 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 08610 | 0.004 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 08611 | 0.004 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 08618 | 0.004 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 08619 | 0.004 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 08620 | 0.004 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 08625 | 0.004 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 08628 | 0.004 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 08629 | 0.004 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 08638 | 0.004 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 08641 | 0.004 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 08644 | 0.004 mg/L | No | N/A |
Radon Risk in Service Area
Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 1 (High Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Need help with your water quality?
Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400
Find the Right Water FilterFree tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.
ZIP Codes Served
Coverage: 17 ZIP codes confirmed via EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 plus 28 additional ZIPs inferred from SDWIS registry data. The EPA-confirmed set is the most reliable; SDWIS-inferred entries may be narrower than the real deployment area.
This system serves 45 ZIP codes:
08501 · 08510 · 08515 · 08520 · 08534 08535 · 08540 · 08541 · 08542 · 08543 08544 · 08550 · 08555 · 08560 · 08561 08601 · 08602 · 08603 · 08604 · 08605 08606 · 08607 · 08608 · 08609 · 08610 08611 · 08618 · 08619 · 08620 · 08625 08628 · 08629 · 08638 · 08640 · 08641 08644 · 08645 · 08646 · 08647 · 08648 08650 · 08666 · 08690 · 08691 · 08695
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Trenton Water Works (NJ1111001) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Trenton Water Works water safe to drink?
Trenton Water Works has recorded 4 health-based violations in the past 5 years. While the system is required to treat water to meet federal standards, you may want to consider additional precautions such as a certified water filter.
How many people does Trenton Water Works serve?
Trenton Water Works serves approximately 217,000 people across 45 ZIP codes in New Jersey.
Where does Trenton Water Works get its water?
The primary water source is surface water.
Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Tested Clean
This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). No PFAS compounds were detected.
Current MCL reflects the lowest state-enforceable limit (NYS 10 ppt for PFOA/PFOS, effective August 2020). The federal final MCL of 4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS (EPA April 2024 rule) is not enforceable until April 2029. Detections above 4 ppt but below 10 ppt are below current MCL but above the future federal limit.
Source: U.S. EPA UCMR5 (Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 5th cycle) — per-system federal sampling, 2023–2025. EPA UCMR5 monitoring program →
Lead Service Line Inventory
Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:
Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.
Source: NJDEP Public Community Water Purveyor SLI · Submitted 2024
ZipCheckup is not affiliated with the utility or state agency. Inventory figures render verbatim from the public LCRI submission cited above; ZipCheckup does not perform inspections or replacements.
How Water Systems Appear in Rankings
Water systems are evaluated by violation history, contaminant detections, and service population. Larger systems with more service connections appear in more rankings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What You Can Do
Test your water
Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →
Check your specific ZIP code
Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →
Contact your utility
Trenton Water Works (EPA ID: NJ1111001) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.