Water Use Restrictions Still In Force In Manchester: Mayor

Manchester, NJ -- Water use restrictions remain in effect for some Manchester residents and commercial properties as the township continues to try to manage water demand, Mayor Kenneth Palmer said Friday.

The restrictions affect ressidents and commercial properties in the Eastern Service Area, which generally includes the portion of Manchester along Route 37 and those portions east of Route 37 and the Lakehurst Naval Air Engineering Station and Warfare Center, officials said.

The mandatory restrictions on lawn and landscape watering took effect June 28 and are not changed, Palmer said.

1. Properties with odd-numbered street addresses may water only on odd calendar dates (such as June 29) except for the 31 st of a month on which watering is prohibited.
2. Properties with even-numbered street addresses may water only on even calendar dates (such as June 28).
3. Watering is not permitted between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
4. Watering of any single area shall not exceed 30 minutes in a day.

The restrictions apply to all residential and commercial properties in the Eastern Service Area except for public parks, public recreation areas and nurseries, the township said.

Hanging plants are exempt.

Any newly seeded or sodded lawn areas for up to 30 days after initial seeding or sodding are also exempt provided there is a small sign visible from the street in the front yard indicating “new seed” or “new sod” and the date of installation.

The restrictions do not apply to properties served by other water utility companies or that obtain their potable water from their own private well. Those who use their private well for lawn and landscape watering must place a small sign visible from the street in their front yard indicating “Private Well,” the township said.

In an update Friday, Palmer said authorized employees of the township's Public Works department, the township's code enforcement officers and members of the police department will be enforcing the restrictions.

Violators are subject to fines, he said.

Water hose, image via Shutterstock