Page 6 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • June 22, 2011 Ho-Ho-Kus High water use causes concerns by Jennifer Crusco A snowy winter followed by a wet spring led Ho-HoKus officials to believe that water usage in the borough might decrease this year, but that is not the case. According to statistics provided by James Montag, superintendent of the borough’s water utility, water use has been comparable to last year’s, when drier conditions prevailed. Officials are concerned because the borough is pumping more than a million gallons a day, and urge residents to conserve water and to adhere to the watering schedules. “It is surprising,” Ho-Ho-Kus Mayor Thomas Randall said. “Logically, one would expect that the watering schedule that the borough instituted, when combined with a very wet spring, would have resulted in a noticeable decrease in our monthly usage. We will be taking appropriate measures to ensure that the borough remains in compliance with its permitted consumption.” Don Cirulli, the borough administrator, explained that the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection allots a specific amount of water that may be used by each municipality. He said there is particular emphasis on municipalities that have their own water utilities, such as Ho-Ho-Kus. “The law states that the underground water of the state belongs to all the people of the state,” Cirulli explained. “In order to protect this right, the state DEP places restrictions on the usage of water within each municipality. The establishment of a watering schedule is a proactive attempt toward conservation of a natural resource.” If the borough pumps more water than is allotted by the DEP, the borough becomes subject to fines, Cirulli added. “This initial fine can be as little as little as $10,000. However, if immediate action is not taken to reduce usage, additional fines increasing to $5,000 can be issued. In other words, any overuse must be brought under control immediately,” Cirulli said. “It is then that a true water restriction must be put into place.” The administrator said the borough’s daily allocation is just under one million gallons a day. Despite the regular precipitation and the borough’s three-zone watering schedule, Cirulli said the borough is already exceeding its allocation of water. “Overwatering of lawns is occurring throughout the borough,” he said. “It is absolutely not necessary to water lawns every day.” The current watering schedule allows residents to water twice a week on designated days based on a three-zone system. No watering is permitted on Mondays, which is the day the water tanks are allowed to refill from the aquifers. Residents of each area will be permitted to use sprinkler systems two days each week. Area 1 is located west of West Saddle River Road and south of Hollywood Avenue. Residents in Area 1 may use sprinklers on Thursday and Sunday. Area 2 is located west of West Saddle River Road and north of Hollywood Avenue. Sprinkler days in this zone will be Wednesday and Saturday. Area 3 includes properties east of West Saddle River Road. Residents in this area may use sprinklers on Tuesday and Friday. Cirulli cautioned that, if the borough is fined for overuse of water, the amount of the fine will be prorated among the borough’s residents, and a surcharge will be added to the water bills. “Additionally, if anyone is found to be watering on a Monday or on a day not permitted in their area, there will be a surcharge on their water bill,” Cirulli said. “With proof of new plantings or sod, the Ho-Ho-Kus Department of Public Works may grant permission for additional watering for a specified period of time.” He said the borough has ample water available and more than adequate means of delivering water to residents. “The fact that Well #1 is temporarily offline as we wait for new permits from the state has absolutely nothing to do with why the current watering schedule exists,” Cirulli said. The watering schedule, Cirulli emphasized, is about conserving water. The Contemporary Club of Ho-Ho-Kus hosted its first Hoedown at the Brookside Swim & Raquet Club. Participants donned their best country duds to engage in this benefit for local causes. Pictured: Julie Chiusano, Alix Burns, Maggie Liljegren (president), Melissa Dooley, and Ali White (treasurer). Kick up your heels!