The combination of the recent excessive heat and higher system demands -- despite restrictions in place -- has forced New Jersey American Water to stick with
According to a release from the water company on Saturday: "In conjunction with NJDEP, we will continue to monitor the system production and key indicators throughout the day to ensure that an will not jeopardize the outstanding progress we have made with the restoration efforts. But because of the excessive heat and higher system demands, we cannot make a change at this time."
A 24-inch main service line to Middletown, which was recently installed and put into service, needs to be monitored for 24 hours before restrictions can be lifted, according to the update.
When restrictions are lifted, NJAW customers can expect to be put on an odd-even watering schedule.
"Because permanent repairs will take some time to complete, we will not be able to go beyond an odd-even watering schedule for the foreseeable future," the update states.
1) Why is DEP behind the curve and not taking the lead? 2) Why is DEP deferring to a private water company to fulfill its legal responsibilities under the NJ Water Supply Management Act? 3) Why aren't water conservation and non-essential use restrictions imposed by NJ DEP and able to be enforced? 4) Where is the DEP Statewide Water Supply Plan Update? 5) Why are DEP drought status "normal" - see coastal north region drought indicators: http://www.state.nj.us/dep/drought/status.html#coastalnorth
Has DEP taken enfacement action and imposed corrective action requirements on NJ American for negligence and failure to maintain infrastructure, which caused the emergency?
It is possible that town hall is served by Shorelands Water.....which I do not believe is under any restrictions at the moment. I am a customer of Shorelands and I know our restrictions were lifted a week or so ago.
That's why DEP must be the public institution to issue and enforce the restrictions - NOT a private water company. What's next, private fire Department's? I recall a story where a private fire Department responded to a house fire - the house on fire was not a fee paying customer. The firemen watched it burn down, while sprig down the neighbor's home to prevent spread. Is that where we're heading? Gated communities, now with private water?
"outstanding progess"..are you joking? Would not want these troops in my fox hole. planning an attack! Only 8 months late with an action plan when they knew the enemy was out there! Great thinking!