Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood blog asks , How many tickets were given out last year to Ridgewood residents last year for water irrigation violations ?
Just wondering if any other towns that Ridgewood water supplies were issued tickets for the same violations?
Our newly hired code violation enforcement person does not have jurisdiction in those towns to issue tickets . So in a nut shell the Village Manager Roberta hired and employee with taxpayer money to issue tickets only to Ridgewood residents .Other towns that are supplied by Ridgewood Water do not have a dedicate employee for that service.
Do you really think they were issued the same amount of violations?
Ridgewood NJ, Just one day after an announcement of stage 2 water restrictions ,does the Village’s water utility own 2 small boats, or are some of the utility’s employees now being permitted to store their personal property on land owned by the utility? Roberta, are you on this?
Ridgewood NJ, What a mess the Village of Rdgewood and the Water Co are. At almost every Council meeting Ridgewood Water is asking for money ( Big Money) and yet here we are within two week we went from sage 1 to stage 2.
So why do we have that 36 inch water line that was put in many years ago. Yes thats right that water line is a hook up to United Water . Thats right residents we buy water from them. Many resident talk about high taxes. Is this what we get for taxes. No need to build big tanks just buy more water from United Water or is this a parting shot from the 3 Amigos and Ms Queen Bee?
DECLARATION OF STAGE II WATER USE RESTRICTIONS
In accordance with the Codes of the Village of Ridgewood, the Boroughs of Glen Rock and Midland Park, and the Township of Wyckoff, Stage II water restrictions in Ridgewood, Glen Rock, Midland Park, and Wyckoff, New Jersey are in effect beginning June 23, 2016 until further notice.
Residents, businesses, governmental agencies, and all other water users must adhere to Stage II of the restrictions shown on our website,water.ridgewoodnj.net.
If your address is an odd number, you may irrigate on Tuesdays and Saturdays only. If your address is an even number, you may irrigate on Wednesdays and Sundays only. A handheld hose may be used at any time including Mondays. No irrigation is allowed on Mondays, Thursdays, or Fridays except the use of a hand held hose.
The restriction level had to be increased to Stage II because water is being consumed at a greater rate than the supply system can sustain, thus reducing the amount of water in reserve for fire fighting and other emergencies.
Compliance with the Stage II restrictions will reduce the likelihood that more severe controls will be needed. Your cooperation is appreciated.
Violators will be subject to a fine and court appearance
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Ridgewood water is not funded by taxes, it’s funded entirely by ratepayers (the water bill). It’s unfortunate but water is getting more expensive — more stringent water quality standards mean more treatment, which drives rates up. Also, in general, east coast water utilities are having to replace a lot of aging infrastructure which is nearing the end of its lifespan.
Ridgewood’s problem is that there is not enough storage for the comparatively high demands of summertime, when lots of people use automatic sprinklers to water their lawns every night. It’s a somewhat wasteful use of water, especially in the face of the droughts we tend to have in North Jersey, and I don’t mind dealing with some water restrictions to rein that in.
I remember that some years ago, Ridgewood did try to increase the capacity of one of its tanks ever so slightly (up on Valley View near Crest Rd) but the neighbors would have none of it.
United Water has had these same demand issues in places like Franklin Lakes where the water use has been a lot higher in the summer than in the winter because of lawn watering, pools, etc. They did take action and construct a large new storage tank on Shadow Ridge Rd, but they will turn around and use this large expense as a justification to raise water rates (Utilities both public and private are bound to justify their water rates). So not only will Franklin Lakes be consuming more water, they will pay more per gallon ($$$).
I agree that Ridgewood Water may not be as professional or “on top of things” as a larger organization. However, I wouldn’t like to see Ridgewood Water absorbed into a large, private water company. We would lose our nice-tasting well water (my opinion), control over our water rates, and the other benefits of having a small, local, public water utility
Ridgewood NJ, Summer Water Restriction season once again and the Ridgewood blog just has to ask ; are we the only one who wonders what it is going to take to fix this thing and get the Ridgewood water system up to speed. Sorry folks but summer water restrictions every single summer is too much 3rd world for the kind of taxes Ridgewood taxpayers are paying .
This not a critique of Ridgewood water but an attempt to get the ball rolling on a discussion which has for too long been swept under the rug . Do residents really want to live with perpetual water restrictions, law suits and assorted water quality issues.
-For information on the Ground Water Under Direct Influence of Surface Water (GWUDI) monitoring program click HERE.
-For information on PFOA and PFOS click HERE.
Stage I will be in effect each year starting on June 1st and will continue through August 31st. If conditions warrant, irrigation will be prohibited on additional days of the week up to and including a total ban on irrigation.
Compliance with the initial restrictions will reduce the likelihood that more severe controls will be needed. Your cooperation is appreciated.
Stage I (Moderate) – Mandatory restriction of irrigation to Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays for properties 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 properties 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 the Village Manager of the Village of Ridgewood.
I have been saying for years (yes, to the water department and council) that rain sensors should be mandated for all sprinkler systems, not only new systems. They don’t cost that much to install, although they have to be installed correctly. They aren’t perfect–it could pour five minutes after a watering, for example–but they are a terrific development and ought to be relied upon. Existing systems should never have been grandfathered. This could change with a simple new ordinance.
The next step would be maintenance and oversight. Every year I have to ask the sprinkler crew to test my rain sensor. It is not part of their regular spring turn-on-the-system routine, nor was it for my previous service, which installed it in the first place, but it should be.
Police driving around at 5 AM can easily identify which sprinklers are on when they shouldn’t be, because it’s the wrong day or it is raining or has just rained. Tickets could follow. I don’t want to be told to turn in my neighbors, although an anonymous tip line would surely uncover a large number of violations.
Education is needed. In my experience most people have no clue how to work their systems and no interest in learning. A few fines might inspire them to read the manual or make a call.
Ridgewood NJ, Stage I will be in effect starting today June 1st and will continue through August 31st. If conditions warrant, irrigation will be prohibited on additional days of the week up to and including a total ban on irrigation.
Compliance with the initial restrictions will reduce the likelihood that more severe controls will be needed. Your cooperation is appreciated.
Stage I (Moderate) – Mandatory restriction of irrigation to Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays for properties 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 properties 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 the Village Manager of the Village of Ridgewood.
This is a busy time of year as we are all getting ready for the summer – making plans for family activities and to enjoy the outdoors! In fact, you are hearing from the Acting Village Manager as Roberta is enjoying a well-deserved vacation.
The Ridgewood Water Department is making summer plans for water distribution during this season of high demand and wants to remind all customers of the rules so they can comply. We have learned from past experience that mandatory restrictions actually benefit everyone so we can provide enough water to meet the residential demand as well as needed reserves and water pressure for public safety.
Please review the annual plan below that will go into effect Wednesday, June 1st. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of following the rules at each stage so we can use our water resources to everyone’s best advantage.
Summer Water Restrictions Village Code Chapter 269, Article IV
Stage I will be in effect each year starting on June 1st and will continue through August 31st. If conditions warrant, irrigation will be prohibited on additional days of the week up to and including a total ban on irrigation.
Compliance with the initial restrictions will reduce the likelihood that more severe controls will be needed. Your cooperation is appreciated.
Stage I (Moderate) – Mandatory restriction of irrigation to Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays for properties 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 properties 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 the Village Manager of the Village of Ridgewood.
With everyone following the water restrictions from the beginning of the season, hopefully we will all benefit with less severe restrictions during the later months of summer. As in the past, there will be Village staff supporting our compliance efforts.
If you have any questions about the water restriction plans, please feel free to contact me at [email protected].
We appreciate your support.
Thank you.
Richard Calbi, Jr.
Director of Operations
For Roberta Sonenfeld, Village Manager
The Flint water crisis is a drinking water contamination issue in Flint, Michigan, United States that started in April 2014. After Flint changed its water source from treated Detroit Water and Sewerage Department water (which was sourced from Lake Huron as well as the Detroit River) to the Flint River (to which officials had failed to apply corrosion inhibitors), its drinking water had a series of problems that culminated with lead contamination, creating a serious public health danger. From Wikipedia.
My point is that if we lose control of Ridgewood water we are in danger of getting worse water. Yes, there are problems, that is why we must be ready to remedy them, even if it means, like Fairlawn, to put water filters on wells, regardless of cost over a period to years. To pay higher water rates etc.
Yes, we must and did finally put a warning on cigarettes, ban trans fats, warn about the hazards of hormones and antibiotics in food and putting too many herbicides and pesticides and lawn, and dangers of polluted air from vehicles and so on. Many states in the U.S. have polluted water, in many cities in Jersey, the people have to use bottled water, and even bottled water has a bad rap now because it could be more polluted than local tap. Let’s admit there is a water crisis and we must be prepared to solve it, no matter what the financial cost, rather than turn our heads and look away and try to sell it away.
Ridgewood NJ, the Bergen Record is reporting that the class action lawsuit trial involving Glen Rock, Wyckoff and Midland Park and the Ridgewood Water utility is delayed through at least mid-June.
Originally scheduled to begin April 5,the dispute was assigned a go ahead trial date following the failure of two mediation attempts earlier this year, held in Ridgewood and presided over by retired Superior Court judge Peter E. Doyne.
As previously reported on this blog the class action by municipal water customers Glen Rock, Midland Park and Wyckoff alleges some $3.3 million in past overcharges, and that the Village of Ridgewood improperly comingled water company revenues to other areas of the Ridgewood municipal budget.
Other issues also effect Ridgewood water including onerous EPA regulation, massive up keep in infrastructure , summer water restrictions and water quality issues .
Reader says Ridgewood Water is nothing but a black hole for money;
“Ridgewood water is nothing but a black hole for money. Resident have forgotten all the trouble we resident have had with this utility and that BS the Queen Bee gave us last night about the Ridgewood Water Dept head is just that BS . If you believe her you probably voted for the 3 Amigos and their BS. Ridgewood Water cannot keep up with the new EPA and future regulation. Do you enjoy being on water restriction while your neighboring towns that are not served by Ridgewood Water are not? Do you enjoy getting tickets for violating those restriction? . Prospective Council Candidates talk about shared services with other towns or the county to save money but what to retain control of a failing water system. Ridgewood Water has lost their creditability. Get ride of it or privatize it and that goes for the other black hole our very own Ridgewood Sewerage Plant. Oh wait I guess some residents want to retain control of our sewerage.”
RIDGEWOOD WATER FORUM – APRIL 21 @ 9AM AND APRIL 25 @ 7:30PM
April 20,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The Village of Ridgewood is hosting a Municipal Information Forum for Ridgewood residents regarding Ridgewood Water. The intent of this forum is to educate the public on how water is delivered to your faucet. It will deal with current issues in the news as well as discussing the quality of our water, sustaining water for the future, budget and capital investments and our short-term and long-term strategies.
The Information Forums will be held on two separate dates. The first on will be Thursday, April 21 from 9 to 11 am. The other is Monday, April 25 from 7:30 to 9:30pm. These Forums will take place in the Youth Center at Village Hall.
To let us know you are attending or if you have any questions, please call 201/670-5500 x203.
photo courtesy of Take Back Ridgewood Facebook page
April 11,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood Nj, Healthbarn USA Inc. business continues to raise concerns in the neighborhood . First the amount of people using the parking lot during the day as well as the new lights which seem completely unnecessary as well as detrimental to the natural habitat.
This is land Habernickel Family Park was set aside for conservation purposes but sprinklers are now being installed for a garden by Ridgewood Water? This seems antithetical to the purpose of conservation.
Once again the soccer and baseball games have begun and the parking situation has become dangerous. Simple issues like No Parking signs and a crosswalk have still not been addressed by the Village even though they proceeded Healthbarn and have been problems for years .
Soccer and baseball are already seeing the effect of Healthbarn being given 12 parking spots. Loss of the lot have pushed Ridgewood tax payers and the teams they are hosting for sports into the street for parking. There are no designated spots for Healthbarn, therefore their private clients are and will continue to utilize the entire lot to the exclusion of Ridgewood residents.
Neighbors are very concerned about the effect all this commotion 25 plus kids in a small home and 25 plus cars an hour will do to the natural green acres habitat the park is suppose to protect.
What Village has addressed immediately however are sprinklers and lights for a business in a residential zone ? Once again the needs of a private business are outweighing the benefit to the public good.
Ridgewood NJ, Fears are growing in New Jersey over how much lead is in school water. Ever since Newark, the state’s largest district, revealed that half its buildings contained lead-tainted water.
While many school districts across North Jersey are rushing to test their drinking water for lead. Experts say lead poising can stunt learning and cause impulsive behavior in children.
Lead has been found in 30 schools in Newark. Other New Jersey towns and cities including Paterson. On Friday, Pascack Hills and Pascack Valley high schools shut down fountains after high levels of lead were found in seven locations and over the weekend lead was detected in water at 2 Hamilton elementary schools.
At the end of March Daniel Fishbein, Ed.D. Superintendent of Ridgewood Schools issued the following statement :
Dear Parent or Guardian:
Recently there has been much in the press about the quality of drinking water and contamination. I am sure that you are aware of this news, especially regarding the presence of lead in the water in some New Jersey schools, as well as in Flint, Michigan. While there was no reason to believe that there is an issue with the quality of the drinking water in our Ridgewood schools, in response to some email concerns I received, I thought it prudent to have the water tested. I am happy to report that we do not have any issues with the quality of the drinking water in our buildings. Listed below is a link that will provide the testing reports for all of our schools. This report may also be found on the district website at www.ridgewood.k12.nj.us. https://tinyurl.com/WaterAnalysis3-16
Sincerely yours,
Daniel Fishbein, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools
In 2014 Ridgewood Water exceeded the Action Level for Lead in Ridgewood’s water supply . In January 2015 ,Ridgewood Water said, “The water supply by Ridgewood Water does not have lead in it”
According to Ridgewood Water ,” Lead contamination can occur when water is in contact with plumbing materials containing lead for several hours undisturbed. Corrosion control is the treatment process in which small amounts of phosphates are added to the water in order to prevent lead contamination. The phosphates create a thin coating on the inside of plumbing materials, effectively preventing the corrosion of lead into the water. The implementation of this treatment is nearly complete and we are already detecting the phosphate at all sampling locations. Even though this treatment is highly effective in preventing lead contamination, we recommend that you let the faucet run for several seconds before drawing water for drinking or cooking.”
Ridgewood Water offers discount water test kits . Please call 201-670-5520 or visit Village Hall at 131 N. Maple Ave. Ridgewood, NJ 07450 for more information.
I am writing to inform you of a Municipal Information Forum that we will be hosting for Ridgewood residents regarding Ridgewood Water.
The intent of this forum is to educate the public on how water is delivered to your faucet. We will deal with current issues in the news as well as discussing the quality of our water, sustaining water for the future, budget and capital investments and our short-term and long-term strategies.
Our decision to hold this forum emanated from several sources. One clearly is the amount of interest that residents have expressed in learning more about Ridgewood Water; this has definitely been heightened by stories in the news. Secondly, we have held two sessions such as these at both our 2016 budget reviews as well as at a Glen Rock Council meeting. These were two-way dialogues that were well received and I believe went a long way in a better mutual understanding of how the water we consume is delivered to our homes.
We are planning on conducting this forum on two separate dates. The first is Thursday April 21st from 9-11 AM. The other is Monday April 25th from 7:30-9:30PM.
Please let us know if you intend on joining us by responding to this e-notice.
Look forward to seeing you.
Best,
Roberta Sonenfeld
Village Manager
201-670-5500, ext. 203
Public Notice- Click HERE
State Certified Water Testing Laboratories- Click HERE
NJDEP Lead FAQ- Click HERE
