Sewer Department

Sewer Department Duties

The primary objective of the Sewer Department is to protect the health and safety of the public and to safeguard the environment through proper operation and maintenance of the public sanitary sewer system. 

The Sewer Department carries out the following duties:  

  • Inspecting grease traps / interceptors at retail food establishments, schools, institutions, etc.
  • Issuing Certificates of Compliance for proper connection of sump pumps, roof drains, and other surface and ground water drains (to be filed prior to transfer of property)
  • Investigating sewer related complaints or ordinance violations
  • Issuing sewer permits for connections and disconnections to the sewer and repairs of sewer laterals
  • Reviewing NJDEP Treatment Works Applications (TWA) for sewer extensions and new discharges of 2,000 gallons or more per day
  • Reviewing development applications prior to issuance of building permits
  • Cleaning and maintaining public gravity sewer mains
  • Operating and maintaining public wastewater pump stations
  • Planning and managing capital projects to repair and improve the sanitary sewer system

What's in a Name?

Sewer Department

The Sewer Department is the group of municipal employees in responsible charge of Princeton's Sanitary Sewer System. The Sewer Department carries out the will of Council, as promulgated by Ordinances and Resolutions. 

Princeton Sewer Committee (PSC)

The Princeton Sewer Committee (PSC) is the volunteer-based committee which serves in an advisory role to Council. PSC meetings are open to the public. To learn more about the PSC, and to view a schedule of upcoming meetings, visit the Princeton Sewer Committee page.

Princeton Sewer Operating Committee (PSOC)

The Princeton Sewer Operating Committee (PSOC) was dissolved upon consolidation in 2013. The term "PSOC" had referred to both the employees of the Borough and the voting body which was in responsible charge of the sanitary sewer system jointly owned by the Township and the Borough. The term "PSOC" no longer applies to any governmental entity in Princeton.

Wastewater Treatment

Princeton owns and operates the public sanitary sewer system. Wastewater that's produced in Princeton travels through the sanitary sewer system to the River Road Wastewater Treatment Plant, where it's then treated. The River Road facility, which also receives sewage from South Brunswick Township and West Windsor Township is owned and operated by the Stony Brook Regional Sewerage Authority (SBRSA). The SBRSA is a joint municipal organization which operates three (3) sewage treatment facilities serving Hopewell Borough, Hopewell Township, Pennington Borough, South Brunswick Township, Princeton, and West Windsor Township. For more information about the SBRSA, or to report odors from the River Road facility, please visit the SBRSA website.