Are Sprinkler Patrols Coming to Your Street? Ridgewood Water Launches Late-Night Sweep

Is Your Lawn Compliance Ready? Ridgewood Water Targets Smart Irrigation Amid Critical State House Talks

Photo: Alissa Vanim

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Big changes and stricter enforcements are coming to North Jersey’s water supply. From the halls of the New Jersey State House to late-night neighborhood patrols, local water officials are taking aggressive steps to tackle infrastructure funding, rising utility costs, and a looming summer crunch.

Here is what you need to know about how these high-level political talks and regional lawn-watering crackdowns will directly impact your wallet—and your property.

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Direct Advocacy: Ridgewood Water Takes Local Issues to the State House

Yesterday, Ridgewood Water Director Richard Calbi joined senior leadership from the American Water Works Association New Jersey Section (AWWA-NJ) and members of its Water Utility Council at the New Jersey State House.

The goal? A series of high-stakes, face-to-face meetings with state legislators to voice the pressing needs of New Jersey’s sprawling water systems.

Representing several of the state’s largest water utilities alongside District 40 Assemblyman Al Barlas, Director Calbi and his colleagues put a spotlight on critical, long-term industry challenges:

• Customer Affordability: Fighting to keep residential utility rates fair as operational costs climb.

• Infrastructure Funding: Securing state resources to replace aging water mains, treatment facilities, and service lines.

• Water Security & Quality: Fortifying local water grids against emerging contaminants and environmental vulnerabilities.

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🕒 Stricter Enforcement: Late-Night and Early-Morning Irrigation Patrols Underway

While high-level planning happens in Trenton, immediate conservation efforts are hitting the pavement right here at home.

To protect the local water table during ongoing dry conditions, Ridgewood Water employees have officially launched periodic, off-hours observations. Patrols are actively scouting neighborhoods during late-night and early-morning hours to identify automatic irrigation systems violating local ordinances.

The enforcement sweeps are currently active across four major municipalities:

• Glen Rock

• Midland Park

• Ridgewood

• Wyckoff

⚠️ The Three-Strike Violation Rule:

Officials emphasize that the goal isn’t to penalize residents, but rather to encourage voluntary compliance. However, a clear enforcement system is in place for those who ignore the restrictions:

1. First Offense: Initial warning issued to the property.

2. Second Offense: Second and final warning.

3. Third Offense: An official ticket and fine will be issued.

“Our goal is not to issue tickets. We would much rather see customers voluntarily follow the two-day watering schedule, which helps to protect our water supply and support reliable service for all customers during these ongoing dry conditions.” — Ridgewood Water Leadership

Residents are strongly urged to check their automatic sprinkler timers and ensure their systems strictly mirror the mandatory two-day watering schedule assigned to their specific street addresses.

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