Residents Following Watering Rules, Utility Chief Says

Resident compliance with Ridgewood Water restrictions has than in summer of 2012, according to utility director Frank Moritz.

Stage II restrictions for ratepayers in Ridgewood, Glen Rock, Wyckoff and Midland Park after months of drought had .

The declaration stipulates that irrigations is prohibited on Mondays and residents must follow an odd-even scheduled for watering during the remainder of the week.

In a brief conversation on Wednesday, Moritz said he can't remember a year in which residents were more cooperative.

Thanks to rain and a public largely adhering to the rules, water tanks are at about 80 percent capacity, Moritz said.

A major step in messaging the public was the implementation of Swiftreach, a software system that sends alerts to residents' cell phones, Moritz said.  

Of course, it doesn't mean all abide by the regulations. Even the  the lawn when it shouldn't have.

Police, annoyed neighbors and Ridgewood Water personnel document instances of those often seen breaking rules, according to Moritz.

"We have a pretty good idea who they are," Moritz said of frequent violators.

Still, it's rare to see summonses issued. Officials have said they prefer a "soft" approach to "educate" residents on the dos and dont's of lawn watering. 

Those violators might soon want to check their mailboxes, where a letter from the utility company might be found.

"It's a gentle way of letting them know we know," Moritz said.

There's another incentive to keeping the tank levels high – fines.

As first reported by Patch, the utility was in 2010. Another fine from exceeding the allocation in 2011 is also expected. Ridgewood Water will be fighting the penalties, village officials have said.

Stage II restrictions remain in place and will continue until further notice, Moritz said.

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