Trenton Water Works finds itself in the middle of another controversy. The state Department of Health on Saturday revealed the presence of legionella in the water supplies of homes served by the utility in central Jersey. Legionella is the bacteria that causes legionnaires’ disease — a type of pneumonia. It was found in more than half of 30 homes sampled in September, including Trenton, Ewing, parts of Hopewell and Lawrence townships. The sampling started after legionnaires’ disease was previously detected in Hamilton Township. The news comes just days after the state Department of Environmental Protection announced they’d take on oversight of operations at Trenton Water Works — due to “significant health and safety concerns” for people served by the utility. Lawmakers are holding a hearing at the State House today to get input from elected officials and others about the situation.
New Jersey State Epidemiologist Dr. Tina Tan gives more insight into the situation.
