Glen Ridge

Water Conservation Ordinance

In 2018, water usage in the Borough of Glen Ridge consumed more than 280 million gallons of water. This is enough water to fill over 400 Olympic size swimming pools or almost 3 billion 12 oz. bottles of water. Water is a finite resource, and the Borough is exploring ways to reduce total water consumption.

On Monday, November 18th, The Borough of Glen Ridge Council introduced Ordinance 1725, which would establish water conservation standards for outdoor landscaping and outdoor water usage restrictions in declared emergencies. The second hearing and consideration for adoption will take place at the next Council meeting on Monday, December 9th.

Water Waste 50% - conserve image

Facts:
  • Depending on climate, up to 75% of a home’s total water use during the growing season is for outdoor purposes, and half of that is wasted due to inefficient systems and watering methods
  • When hiring a professional to install or audit your landscape irrigation system, be sure he or she is certified by a WaterSense labeled irrigation program. If the system is well managed, a household's irrigation water use can be reduced by 15 percent, or nearly 7,600 gallons of water, annually.
  • A household with an automatic landscape irrigation system that isn't properly maintained and operated can waste up to 25,000 gallons of water annually.
  • Average family uses 320 gallons of water a day, and in warmer weather that can increase to about 1,000 gallons a day
  • The average irrigation system uses 16 gallons a minute or nearly 1,000 gallons an hour.
  • Irrigation systems with smart controllers that account for seasonal weather, temperature, and soil moisture can greatly reduce water consumption by 15% and save money
  • If the average sized lawn in the United States is watered for 20 minutes every day for 7 days, it’s like running the shower constantly for 4 days or taking more than 800 showers. That's equivalent to the amount of water needed for the average family to take 1 year's worth of showers.

Lawn Watering Image

Tips and tricks:
  • Only water when needed; in NJ, most landscapes need only 1 inch of water a week. This often comes from rainfall and dew
  • Water flowers and landscaping with water harvested in a rain barrel connected to a downspout
  • Use 30-50% less water with drip irrigation and micro-sprays compared to sprinklers
  • You can get an audit done on your irrigation system by someone who is a USEPA WaterSense partner
  • Water plants in the early morning or at night to reduce evaporation
  • Water deeply and less frequently for a deeper, healthier root system
  • Water lawns only when needed. If grass springs back under foot pressure it doesn’t need water, if it stays flat it needs water.
  • Make sure you are watering your lawn and garden, not the sidewalk and road
  • Add a shut-off nozzle to your garden hose and save about 5-7 gallons each minute your hose is on.
Useful Links: Brochures: Find a certified WaterSense product: Calculate Your Usage: Resources for Children: Hire an Irrigation Professional: Harvest your rainwater: