Page 4 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • July 25, 2012 Mahwah Residents urged to abide by water restrictions by Frank J. McMahon Mahwah’s residents and businesses are being urged by the township’s water department to abide by the alternate day water use restrictions due to the limited rainfall and extremely hot weather during the past month. Paul Scherer, the superintendent of the township’s water department, explained that the hot weather is predicted to continue for the next couple of weeks, which will lead to an increased demand on the township’s water system. “Water storage is vital to our township to maintain pressure in the system for fire emergencies,” Scherer said, “and low storage tank reserves are the principle reason for the imposition of more stringent controls.” Scherer is requesting residents who irrigate lawns, shrubs, and gardens to abide by the alternate day water restrictions that are currently in effect because, by adhering to those restrictions, he hopes the peak demand will be reduced and additional restrictions will not become necessary. Sherer pointed out that part of Mahwah’s conservation plan includes restricting the overuse of water and that plan is implemented by state and federal regulations. Water users, he said, could be subject to a fine and court appearance for violating the water use restrictions. The restrictions that are currently in effect permit outdoor watering all day at even-numbered properties on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Outdoor watering is permitted all day at odd-numbered properties on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Sprinkling is prohibited for all residents and businesses on Sundays, but the use of a hand held hose for watering is permitted on any day, including Sunday. The watering days for businesses, condominiums, and apartments are divided, with the following areas permitted to water on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays: Apple Ridge Condos, Birchwood Hills, Chapel Green, Corporate Drive (north side), Darlington Ridge (Zone A), Franklin Heights, Ramapo Ridge Condos Phase 3I (Greenway), Indian Hollow, Macarthur Boulevard (eastbound), Mahwah High School, The Mall Apartments, Ramapo Brae Lane, Ramapo College (ball field side), Ramapo Ridge Condos -- Phases 1 and 2, Ridge Gardens, Rio Vista Association (Seminary Road), Rio Vista Condos, Rio Vista Pool, Route 17 southbound, Sharp Electronics, and Starview Apartments. The following business, condo, and apartment entities are permitted to water on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays: Brookside Manor, Bellgrove Drive in the Indian Field area, Corporate Drive (south side), Darlington Ridge (Zone B), Datascope, Dial America, Dickinson Lane, Franklin Crossing, Hytorc, Indian Field, Indian Ridge, International Crossroads, Konica, Lindvale Garden Apartments, Macarthur Boulevard (westbound), North Bayard Lane, Paddington Square, Pond Meadows, Ramapo College (school side), Ramapo Garden Apartments (above ground), Rolling Hills Apartments, Route 17 northbound, Society Hill I & II, and United Parcel Service. Business, condo, and apartment properties that are watered with in-ground sprinkler systems are not permitted to also be watered with above-ground, hose-fed sprinklers. The summer water restrictions are imposed each year from May 1 to Sept. 30 by a standing ordinance that requires the regulations every year, irrespective of the weather, according to Brian Campion, the township administrator. Campion explained that the township has a state water allocation permit that requires the township to have a conservation plan and to impose the restrictions each year. Campion emphasized that the annual restrictions allow residents to water all day long for three days of the week, which he said is quite a bit of water. He added that, under the ordinance, the mayor can declare Level 1 and Level 2 water emergencies that would prohibit watering between midnight and 6 a.m., or ban watering altogether. The administrator explained that the township’s water supply is not maintained in reservoirs, but from wells that pump water from the ground into four storage tanks located on Nilsen Avenue, Campgaw Road next to the Bergen County Law & Public Safety Institute, on Tudor Rose Terrace in the Rio Vista residential area, and in the Stag Hill Road area. The township also receives supplemental support from the United Water utility by way of an interconnection. According to Campion, if the weather is hot for a few days and residents and businesses turn on their lawn sprinkler systems, the water in those tanks can be depleted quickly and it can become difficult to balance and manage the wells’ ability to pump the water into the tanks on a peak use day. He explained that the township’s conservation plan not only provides for conservation but also helps the township manage and balance the tanks’ water levels, which are monitored by a computer.