February 28, 2002

NEWS RELEASE

For further information, please contact Stephen Mountain at 543-4555 or Kathryn Porter at 543-4003

Mendham Township Establishes Restrictions on Water Usage

The Mendham Township Committee has declared the Township to be in a water emergency and established mandatory restrictions on water usage for all Township residences. 

Mayor Kathryn Porter stated “We are in the middle of a four-year drought cycle, and this coming spring and summer may be the driest since 1965.  Due to the extraordinary dry conditions, the Township Committee felt it necessary to declare the water emergency and impose restrictions on water use to conserve water resources vital to the protection of the health, safety and welfare of Township residents”

The water emergency is effective immediately and will remain in effect until such time that drought conditions subside.  During the period of the water emergency, the owners and occupants of residential properties within the Township of Mendham shall:

1.     Eliminate all use of water for the watering of lawns (including sprinkler systems), shrubbery, the washing of vehicles, sidewalks and driveways and the filling of pools (mandatory restrictions)

2.     Endeavor to reduce all other water usage to the extent reasonably practicable.

The water use restrictions will be enforced by the Township Police Department.  Warnings will be issued for first offenses and summons will be issued for each subsequent offense.  The minimum penalty for a second offense is a fine, not exceeding $500.  The minimum penalty for third or subsequent offenses is a fine not exceeding $1,000.