Township Committee Approves Sump Pump Law

Wyckoff officials hope to cut costs and prevent flooding damage with a new ordinance the Township Committee approved at their meeting Tuesday night. 

The ordinance allows inspectors to search residents' homes and businesses for illegal sump pumps that discharge into either Wyckoff's or Waldwick's sewers. Pumping water into the sewer raises treatment costs for the town and can damage the system and creates the potential for property damage and health hazards, according to the ordinance. 

Any residents or businesses found with an illegal pump, or who denies inspectors access to thier homes, will have a surcharge of $50 per month added to their utility bills. The ordinance grants an amnesty period for the rest of the year.

“I strongly suggest that homeowners start to look and see if they have something that may not be quite right with their sump pumps and make a change before the township comes in and inspects their homes,” Mayor Kevin Rooney said at the committee's previous meeting.

According to Rooney, Waldwick recently adopted a similar ordinance. About 160 Wyckoff homes are connected to Waldwick’s sewer system. Waldwick would charge Wyckoff $50 per home each month if Wyckoff did not adopt the ordinance, Rooney said.