ALLENDALE, N.J. -- United Water New Jersey has asked customers in Allendale and other North Jersey towns to help conserve water during the current dry spell.
The borough has released the following question-and-answer format as a guide for water use.:
Where does Allendale Get Its Water?
Like all the municipalities in Northwest Bergen County, Allendale is supplied by water from wells tapped into two underground regional aquifers and not from reservoirs. We currently have five wells producing approximately 45 percent of our water needs.
To supplement our capacity, Allendale has a contract to purchase water from United Water via an interconnection. Water supplied from United Water is pumped from both underground wells and reservoirs.
How do wells and pumping facilities work?
Each well has a maximum volume of water that can be pumped in a given time frame based on recharge rates. As wells continually pump, water levels in the aquifer decrease, and as a result pumping rates also decrease. Water levels in the aquifer recharge during rain events. The lack of rain has decreased our maximum pumping capacity. Recharge of the aquifers and rest periods for wells are needed.
Pumping stations pump water from United Water to our distributions system. United Water utilizes wells and reservoirs to supply water. Reservoir levels have also decreased due to lack of rain. Limitations from the pump stations are based on the maximum amount of water we are allocated from the United Water interconnection and the maximum pumping rate the pump station is able to produce.
What has triggered water restrictions?
The recent hot weather and lack of rain during the past month, combined with extremely high water demand due to irrigation systems, lawn and garden watering, has raised our average water use to approximately 1.5 million gallons per day. In comparison, our wintertime use average averages 750,000 gallons per day. Water levels in the main storage have dropped significantly. The borough must maintain a level of at least a half-full level to ensure safe water level and pressure for health and fire safety.
What about further restrictions?
The borough’s water professionals are monitoring the situation daily. A total ban is possible for the future. Much depends on the Phase 2 restrictions, the summer weather, and the ability of United Water to supply Allendale. Currently, United Water has not implemented any restrictions but has asked municipalities to voluntarily reduce pumpage during peak demands. Homeowners and businesses are urged to think of restrictions as conservation of a precious natural resource that must be managed and preserved if it is to be available in the future. We ask for your understanding and cooperation.
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