Waldwick April 25, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 3 Waldwick is moving into Phase II of its program to reduce unauthorized water discharge into the sanitary sewer system by conducting individual home inspections to check for illegal sump pumps. Borough officials have deemed Phase I extremely successful, with only two houses, both now included in a tax sale, refusing the inspections. He said those houses would be assessed the $50 a month surcharge. “Over half of the homes had sump pumps, mostly illegal,” said Borough Administrator Gary Kratz, adding that most of those houses had large yards and were able to handle the discharge within their yards. Kratz said that for Phase II, which includes 170 properties West of Crescent Avenue, the area to be inspected would be divided into three sections, with inspections in the first part beginning within the month. He said residents will be notified by mail and that they should call the building inspector’s office at (201) 652-5300, extension 232 to schedule the inspection. The first section to be done under Phase II will be the area south of Wyckoff Avenue, including DeMartini, Wilson Terrace, and Kennedy Drive. Next will be the area New round of inspections for sump pumps to begin north of Wyckoff Avenue behind Walgreens – Cambria Road and Van Dyke Road, ending with the area adjacent to Tamaron: Longview Drive, Cypress Court, Birch Lane, etc. Kratz said he anticipates no problems with Tamaron because it was built on a slab. “I’m hoping the residents recognize that the program has had some level of success, and it has reduced our costs, which reduces the amount raised by taxation,” Kratz said. Decreased flow in the first six months of the program alone have led to a $116,800 reduction in the borough’s sewer charges for 2012. By eliminating the illegal sump pump discharge, the borough hopes to cut in half its bill to the Northwest Bergen Utilities Authority, since clean storm water is now being treated as sewage. The borough pays nearly $2 million a year for sanitary sewer treatment. Additionally, reducing the flow to the Derby Lane pump facility, would also ultimately preclude the need for its expansion. The trailblazing ordinance adopted last May prohibits the discharge of “any storm water, groundwater, roof runoff, yard drainage, yard fountain, swimming pool, pond overflow or any other substance other than sanitary sewage into the sanitary sewer collection system.” Properties found to have illegal sump pumps may be assessed a $50 monthly surcharge if they don’t correct the violation within 120 days or if they refuse admission to the inspector. To aid homeowners who cannot now handle the water (continued on page 6)