Parsippany, Denville impose outdoor water restrictions. Here's what you need to know

Alex Nussbaum, NorthJersey.com
·3 min read

Two central Morris County towns have imposed water restrictions expected to last through the summer − Parsippany as part of its annual conservation program and Denville due to a "catastrophic" equipment failure.

Both towns have asked homeowners and businesses to limit outdoor water use on an odd-even schedule.

Here's what you need to know:

Parsippany

In Morris County's most populous municipality, summer lawn watering rules went into effect on June 1 for the town's 56,000 residents. They'll be in place until Sept. 30.

  • Residential Lawn Watering: Properties having an even-numbered street address are only permitted to water on even-numbered days from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Properties with an odd-numbered address are only permitted to water on odd-numbed days, during the same hours.

  • No watering is permitted on Fridays or on the 31st day of the month.

  • Non-Residential Lawn Watering: Watering is permitted only on Mondays and Thursdays, from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. No watering is permitted on the 31st day of the month.

Parsippany and Denville have both imposed water restrictions this summer.
Parsippany and Denville have both imposed water restrictions this summer.

Denville

The township imposed mandatory odd-even water restrictions on May 22 "to ensure an adequate water supply for water customers and fire protection service," according to an announcement on its website. The limits will remain in effect for 90 days unless canceled or extended.

"The restrictions have become immediately necessary as the industrial pump in the township’s primary well suffered a catastrophic failure and as a result has placed considerable stress on the other potable wells in our system," the announcement said. "According to our vendors, the timeframe to have our primary well up and running is approximately two to three months."

Under the restrictions:

  • Properties with even-numbered addresses are permitted outside water use on even-numbered days and those having odd-number addresses on odd days. That includes all businesses operating from a residential address.

  • Outdoor water use includes the watering of lawns, shrubs, ornamental plants, sod, and other plants as well as the washing of home and commercial business windows, driveways, sidewalks, gutters and homes. The restrictions also include the washing of automobiles, trucks, ATVs, boats and similar vehicles.

  • Multi-family dwellings, including apartment style housing, are only permitted to use outdoor water on odd days. On even days, such water usage is prohibited.

  • If a commercial business is to complete work at a household, the township will hold the water restrictions to the odd/even number of the home in accordance with the water restrictions in place.

  • Businesses that rely and survive on outdoor water use, whose business address is separate from a residential address, such as car washes, nurseries, power washing companies, etc., will be exempt from the odd/even water restrictions, the township said.

  • Odd/even water restrictions will remain in effect for offices and commercial buildings for the purpose of lawn watering, window washing, power washing and so on for any non-essential work or updates.

Violators will be subject to a municipal summons and fine, the town said.

More: Summer is unofficially here. Here’s how you can save on your electric bill

Water conservation tips

In its annual water quality report, Parsippany also included several water-saving tips. "You can reduce your water consumption by up to 25% by taking just a few simple steps," the town said.

Tips for inside the home:

  • Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth.

  • Never use your toilet as your wastebasket.

  • Use a partially filled sink to rinse your razor.

  • Take shorter showers or install water saving shower heads.

  • Take a shallow bath instead of a shower.

  • Chill tap water in the refrigerator for drinking.

  • Run the washing machine and the dishwasher only with full loads.

Tips for conserving water outside:

  • Use a broom, not a hose, to clear debris from sidewalks.

  • Set your lawn mower one notch higher. Longer grass allows less evaporation.

  • Make sure your hose has a shut off nozzle.

  • Cover your pool to reduce evaporation.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Parsippany Denville NJ impose outdoor water restrictions: details