Area July 14, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 3 Water restrictions eased following break in heat wave A break in the heat wave late last week prompted the Ridgewood Water Company to ease its Stage IV ban on any type of irrigation. “The system is recovering, and there is no longer a public health and safety concern,” said Frank Moritz, the director of Ridgewood Water, at press time Friday. “Perhaps we can further ease the restrictions going forward; it will depend on the weather,” he added. The revised restrictions issued Friday afternoon allow the use of hand-held hoses for watering gardens and shrubs on any day at any time. Manual and automatic sprinkler use is still prohibited. The utility’s sprinkler and hand-held hose ban were triggered by the recordbreaking heat wave and the demands that heat placed on wells and water tanks, according to David Schreibner, Ridgewood Water’s business director. The temperature in New York’s Central Park was recorded as 103 that same day, breaking a record set in 1994, and temperatures in Ridgewood were several degrees higher, according to local thermometers. At least three telephone messages went out on Reverse 911 last week, advising the company’s customers in Ridgewood, Glen Rock, Midland Park and Wyckoff of the restrictions. Only watering plants with a hand-held watering can was permitted. There were no exceptions for new plantings. Some landscaping contractors and garden center owners were taken aback by the sudden, total ban without waivers. Chris James of Chris James Landscaping of Waldwick recalled that 10 years ago landscape industry members in the area had worked with state DEP officials and Ridgewood Water on water usage and conservation. The talks resulted in the odd/even restrictions and a promise from utility officials that exemptions would be granted for irrigation of new plantings, shrubs, trees, sod, seed, etc., he said. Moritz said that the sudden, all-encompassing ban was driven by the extreme severity of the situation. He said that exemptions do not apply at the Stage IV level, when at one point there was only a foot of water in a storage tank. “We lost 20 percent of our total storage in just one day,” Moritz said. He added that although Ridgewood Water has a contract with United Water to provide 3 million gallons a day in an emergency, United could not supply the water. Other area towns not served by Ridgewood Water imposed restrictions as well, though for the most part not as severe (most are posted on each town’s web sites). Only Waldwick also imposed a complete ban on irrigation of any kind, but exemptions are provided for new plantings and swimming pools. Ramsey and Allendale placed a ban on sprinkler systems but permit hand watering. Allendale offers special waivers for new sod and plantings. Mahwah bans irrigation only on Sundays. Sprinkler systems may be used from 6 to 11 a.m. following an odd/even schedule. Above ground irrigation may be used the same days, but only between 4 and 9 p.m. Last week, Ho-Ho-Kus residents received a Reverse 911 message indicating that the borough had imposed a restriction on outside watering due to the excessive heat and low water pressure. Those who wished to request special permission to water items such as new plantings are permitted to contact the DPW at (201) 445-8161. Wyckoff urged residents to take precautions against extreme heat by keeping blinds and curtains drawn because sunlight can increase thermal penetration to houses and buildings by 80 percent. Residents are also urged to make sure to drink ample amounts of water, while avoiding alcohol consumption and limiting the consumption of caffeine; to wear loose, lightweight clothing, and hats outof-doors; and to avoid direct sunlight. Those with respiratory problems are urged to avoid going out of doors during the heat wave. Midland Park’s Office of Emergency Management suggested that residents seek cool places such as the public library or a mall. Residents are also urged to check on neighbors, especially the elderly, and share air conditioning with them. GRAND OPENING SPECIAL $5.00 OFF ANY SERVICE ANY SERVICE with purchase of $20 of service or more Can not be combined with any other offer. Exp. 7/31/10 $30.00 OFF Can not be combined with any other offer. Exp. 7/31/10 LCN SET Reg. $90.00 with purchase of $50 or more Can not be combined with any other offer. Exp. 7/31/10 $10.00 OFF Can not be combined with any other offer. 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