Ridgewood Water Declares Stage II Restrictions

Correction: use of hoses is allowed all days except for Monday, and sprinklers can be used on odd or even days, depending on one's property number; Monday is still an irrigation-free day.

Citing a need to maintain water levels to fight fires and retain water pressure, Ridgewood Water implemented Stage II restrictions Tuesday for customers in Ridgewood, Glen Rock, Wyckoff and Midland Park.

The restrictions bar ratepayers from irrigation on Mondays. Odd numbered properties can water their lawns on odd days, while even numbered properties can irrigate on even days. Hand-held hoses can be used Tuesday-Sunday.

The restrictions, part of Ridgewood Water's conservation plan, apply to businesses and residents alike, according to a press release sent by Ridgewood Village Manager Ken Gabbert on Tuesday.

"Adherence to alternate day irrigation helps reduce the peaks in demand that reduce storage reserves," Gabbert wrote. "Water in store is vital for maintaining pressure in the system and for fighting fires. Low storage tank reserves are the principal reason for the imposition of more stringent restrictions."

Ridgewood Water has struggled with enforcement of restrictions over the years. The state  in 2010 and said more fines could be on the way for overuse in 2011. The village is appealing the fine and working to change the state's allocation structure to utilities.

Ridgewood Water and village administrators did not respond to requests for comment on Tuesday. Utility director Frank Moritz, however, told northjersey.com that the utility has focused on "education" over strict enforcement.

"If there’s a flagrant violator, we notify the police in each town," Moritz told the publication. "And there are violators for sure."

Violators are subject to a fine of $50.

In addition to notifying media, Ridgewood Water sent a reverse 911 message to Ridgewood customers, and posted information on its website.

Have a question or news tip? Contact editor James Kleimann at James.Kleimann@patch.com, or find us on Facebook and Twitter. For news straight to your inbox every morning, sign up for our daily newsletter.