Utility Pleads With Customers to Stop Watering

Saying "he's never seen anything like this," Ridgewood Water Director Frank Moritz pleaded Wednesday with customers to obey water restrictions.

Speaking before the Ridgewood Village Council, Moritz re-emphasized that all outdoor watering—whether via hose or sprinklers—is prohibited due to the Stage IV water restrictions. However, not everyone has heeded the message.

"I have 25 people out (enforcing the policy). The message is out there, compliance is not," said Moritz, who said utility staff and police where touring neighborhoods, looking for offenders.

Those caught watering their lawns could be subject to a $50 fine.

Stemming from the heat wave, a lack of rainfall and unexpected consumption following the Independence Day holiday, Ridgewood Manager Dr. Kenneth Gabbert issued the water restriction Tuesday. Usually, the utility incrementally goes from Stage I (irrigation allowed on alternate days) to the most critical status, Stage IV. The leap to the most severe status was unprecedented, Moritz said.

"There was no time for odd or even water days... It exceeded our expectations," he said.

During shortages, the village has an agreement with United Water to help meet demand. However, Moritz said United Water was "totally incapable of supplying what they said it would."

The village alerted Ridgewood Water customers (which includes Wyckoff, Ridgewood, Midland Park and Glen Rock) through website postings, police announcements via electronic signs and megaphones and the Reverse 911 system. Wyckoff posted the information immediately on its website, www.wyckoff-nj.com, and signs alerting shoppers of the restrictions can be found in the windows of several township shops.

After March's boil-water advisory, when many affected residents in Ridgewood and Wyckoff said they were never notified of the concern, the village attempted to step up its communication. In the process, some customers were called several times.

"We apologize for robotic calls that people may get. Sometimes there's an overlap. Our system's not perfect, and neither are we," Ridgewood Mayor Keith Killion said.

No timetable exists for an easing of restrictions. Moritz said as the village "starts to recover, we'll meet with the village manager and develop regulations."