State Asks Residents to Conserve Water

Residents are being asked to voluntarily cut back on water usage, as a drought watch issued by the state Thursday is still in effect.

Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Martin  issued a drought watch for the northeast region of the state, asking residents of Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris and Passaic counties to voluntarily conserve water due to continued hot and dry conditions and increasing concerns about reservoir levels.

The DEP is not issuing a formal drought warning, which would initiate mandatory steps such as water transfers between regional water supply systems. Instead, the DEP is asking residents to be aware of the situation and use water more carefully, especially when it comes to lawn watering and other unessential uses. The goal is to moderate water demand through voluntary conservation.

"We are asking residents in these five affected counties to keep watch on their water use, to voluntarily reduce unessential water use due to a rapid decline in some reservoir levels,'' Martin said. "Using water responsibly by voluntarily taking steps such as limiting lawn and landscaping water, and cutting back on at-home car washing, could save millions of gallons of water daily.''

"We have been monitoring this situation very closely and have determined that this course of action, to initiate a drought watch, is now appropriate,'' said John Plonski, assistant DEP commissioner for water resource management.

Dave Scheibner, Ridgewood Water business manager, said the utility's Stage III restrictions remain in effect for the forseeable future. Ridgewood, Wyckoff, Glen Rock and Midland Park residents and businesses are allowed to water outside from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. via manual sprinklers. In-ground, automatic sprinklers can only be used from 1 to 4 a.m.

However, customers who own odd-numbered properties are permitted to water under the aforementioned regulations on odd-numbered days, while those with even-numbered properties are allowed to use sprinklers on even-numbered days.

Hand-held hoses are permitted at any time, on any day, except Mondays. No irrigation of any kind can occur on Mondays.

Here are some suggested water conservation tips:

• Do not overwater lawns and landscaping. Two times per week for 30 minutes in morning or late evening typically is sufficient. Use a hose with a hand-held nozzle to water flowers and shrubs.
• To save water at home, fix leaky faucets and pipes.
• Turn off the faucet while brushing teeth and shaving.
• Run washing machines and dishwashers only when full.
• Use a broom to sweep the sidewalk, rather than a hose.