Outdoor Water Ban Lifted for Some in Monmouth County
New Jersey American Water Co. customers still under strict non-watering mandate.
Nearly a week after the collapse of three large water pipes resulted in a regional water emergency, Monmouth County officials have lifted an outdoor watering ban for all non-New Jersey American Water Co. (NJAWC) customers, according to a press release issued by the county.
However, the mandatory outdoor watering ban remains in effect for all NJAWC customers in order to maintain water pressure and supply throughout the lines as repairs continue.
“Even though the ban has been lifted for many residents, public safety officials urge everyone to continue conserving water,” Freeholder Director John P. Curley said in the release. “We look forward to further progress in the days ahead.”
The ongoing water emergency means the following for Monmouth County residents:
- Customers of NJAWC are under a mandatory water restriction that bans all outdoor water use and encourages indoor water conservation. It is illegal for NJAWC customers to water lawns, shrubs or gardens, fill swimming pools and wash cars.
- All restrictions for non-NJAWC customers have been lifted, although conservation is urged.
- New sod or newly seeded lawns and planted shrubs can be watered to an appropriate level.
- Indoor conservation measures include refraining from using washing machines and dishwashers, limiting showering times and flushing toilets less frequently.
- Commercial businesses that rely on water for their operations are not subject to these restrictions.
Because a state of emergency still exists, law enforcement will continue to enforce the ban for NJAWC customers.
“Monmouth County residents should be commended for their cooperation and support during this critical time,” Sheriff Shaun Golden said in the release. “Their efforts helped improve the situation enough to remove some of the bans that had been put in place.”
The emergency was created by the collapse of pipes at the water company’s water treatment plant at Swimming River Reservoir in Tinton Falls.
Nicole Magnotti
5:54 pm on Thursday, July 5, 2012
Fantastic. Now all my obnoxious neighbors can continue to water their lawns without the fear of getting fined. They were so rude to do this in an emergency....I guess the Me-Me era is still in tact.
kf
8:18 pm on Thursday, July 5, 2012
How much of an emergency could it have been? The bridge that collapsed was damaged last year during 'Irene' and they still had not gotten around to fixing it. It looks more like negligence or incompetence to me.
Jay
10:24 am on Sunday, July 8, 2012
Agree with KF, negligence on their part and now it's the residents problem to deal with. Just not right IMO.
LSNative
6:14 pm on Thursday, July 5, 2012
I guess Rumson isn't serviced by NJAW because their sprinklers are going full blast over there. Then again, Rumson (and yes many LS residents, too) residents typically ignore these bans. They must feel the bans/restrictions don't apply to them. Don't believe me? Take a ride and see for yourself.
Dentss Dunnagun
7:32 pm on Thursday, July 5, 2012
If you ask them about the water shortage ,you get that glassy eyed look ," gee our water works ,you just turn the faucet "
John Jameson
9:11 pm on Thursday, July 5, 2012
Some of us do have well water. -_-
Lasrnw
10:03 pm on Thursday, July 5, 2012
Many people have moved to well water for irrigation. Since 2002 Nj American Water company has asked for and received rate increases in excess of 50%. My well cost me $2200. It was a great investment.
Connie Murray
7:47 am on Friday, July 6, 2012
It is irritating to be following the rules and then see other people smugly not give a damn.
Nicole Magnotti
11:10 am on Friday, July 6, 2012
Connie, I couldn't agree with you more. I wonder if there is a way to determine how many fines were administered to homeowners who were ignoring the water emergency....my guess is not many, which is why the violations been occurring.
Nicole Magnotti
4:44 pm on Friday, July 6, 2012
At about 4:00pm today (Friday), I received a call from Shorelands Water Co. informing me that the watering restriction is back on. If your address is an even number, you can water your lawn on even days, and if an odd number address you can water on odd numbered days. On the 31st, there will be a total ban on watering.
Missy
12:00 pm on Sunday, July 8, 2012
Hi, I am a bit confused as to the water restrictions. If you have newly seeded lawn can you water it even if you are a NJWAC customer? Thanks for any input.
LFAB
9:15 pm on Sunday, July 8, 2012
With all the comments that have being given, no one but no one has commented on the fact that the American Water Co. is doing a TEMPORARY FIX that is costing ALOT OF MONEY. Why did they not consider fixing it permanently. Because when all is said and done they will have to fix it the correct way which will cost MORE money. We who are affected by this disaster will have to pay dearly for AWC's negligence. Lose of a lot of flowers in Middletown,
Missy
7:04 am on Monday, July 9, 2012
Hi LFAB, I totally agree with you. This is 100% negligent and reckless on the part of the NJAWC. This never should have happened in the first place because after Hurricane Irene they were aware of this problem.
Maybe we should all get together and start a class action lawsuit if they don't start taking care of this problem permanently. Their rates are crazy high and their service/company is crazy bad IMO.
Water is essential to life- this is not a luxury. What is NJWAC thinking? Either all the people there in high positions don't care because they will be retired (and collecting fat pensions) before the sh** hits the fan or they know they will not be held accountable.
NJWAC has a monopoly but supposedly are a regulated utility so why isn't NJBPU regulating them????