Ridgewood Looks to Change Water Restriction Schedule

The Ridgewood Village Council on Wednesday introduced an ordinance that aims to simplify which Ridgewood Water customers can use lawn sprinklers during periods of water restrictions.

The current regulations for stages I-III generally match odd-even dates with corresponding property numbers to determine which homeowners can water lawns during summer months.

In other words, those with odd-numbered addresses can irrigate on Aug. 1, Aug. 3, Aug. 5, with even-numbered properties allowed to water on Aug. 2, Aug. 4, Aug. 6. There are also restrictions on watering on Mondays when Stage II was declared.

For many, it's become problematic.

If July 30 falls on a Monday, even-numbered property owners are not permitted to use sprinklers from Sunday, July 29 until Wednesday, August 2.

Midland Park, Glen Rock and Ridgewood municipal governments are on board with the new irrigation restrictions, according to Ridgewood Village Manager Ken Gabbert,.

Wyckoff – which has sued Ridgewood over allegedly bilking $3 million in phony charges through its water utility – has opposed the ordinance change.

Here's the proposed new language:

Stage I (moderate): Mandatory restriction of irrigations to Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays for preoprties with odd-numbered addresses and Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays for properties with even-numbered addresses. Irrigation using a hand-held hose shall be allowed at any time. no irrigation shall be allowed on Mondays except for the use of a hand-held hose.

Stage II (severe): Mandatory restriction of irrigation to Tuesdays and Saturdays for properties with odd-numbered addresses and Wednesdays and Sundays for poerties with even-numbered addresses. No irrigation shall be allowed on Mondays, Thursdays or Fridays except for the use of a hand held hose. Irrigation using a hand held hose shall be allowed at any time.

Stage III (pending/critical): Mandatory restriction of irrigation to the use of a hand held hose on Tuesdays and Saturdays for properties with odd-numbered addresses and Wednesdays and Sundays for properties with even-numbered addresses. No irrigation of any kind shall be allowed on Mondays, Thursdays, or Fridays.

Stage IV (critical): Irrigation is prohibited at any time. Exceptions for irrigation using a hand held hose may be allowed under conditions prescribed by Village Manager or the Village of Ridgewood.