The Moorestown Environmental Advisory Committee (MEAC) and the township are reminding residents to save water through conservation efforts and the municipal water conservation ordinance.
Moorestown’s natural resources – soil, water, air, forests, fields and waterways – are fundamental to its character and their use is essential to maintain the health, safety and welfare of current and future residents. To aid in conservation, the water ordinance restricts times that outdoor water use is permitted.
The ordinance includes the following:
- Water conservation rules are in effect 365 days per year.
- Every Moorestown property falls into one of four watering districts that are the same as existing trash collection districts. District 1- Water Sunday and Monday, District 2- Water Monday and Thursday, District 3- Water Monday and Thursday, District 4-Water Tuesday and Friday. If you are unsure which district you fall into, please go to the township website for more information.
- Each district allows for watering two days a week. Residents and businesses are prohibited from watering their lawns outside of those designated days, during which watering is limited to 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The township saw an increase in the consumption of water during summer, with the highest demand on June 10, when 5.507 million gallons of treated water was provided to residents. The result is that the township must purchase extra water from New Jersey American Water. To conserve as well as save money for residents, the Department of Public Works will begin enforcing the water ordinance with fines for violators that can reach a maximum of $2,000.
“Water is the one resource that we take for granted until it is not there,” said Dan Lloyd, director of public works. “We must protect it and use it wisely. Remember the catch phrase: ‘Conserve Water, Conserve Life.’”
“MEAC has made water issues a cornerstone of the last two year’s efforts and will continue to do so in the future, but success is dependent on everyone pitching in and doing what they can to preserve this important resource,” noted Chris Salvatico, secretary of MEAC. “Simple things like shutting off the faucet while brushing your teeth or fixing leaky pipes goes a long way.”
MEAC is a township committee of appointed residents committed to the environment. Its main purpose is to advise and assist township officials on environmental issues.
“One important duty is to plan and implement programs to educate the public about local conservation issues,” said Joan Ponessa, chairperson of MEAC. “Another is to maintain an up-to-date inventory of the township’s natural resources and contaminated sites, including all relevant mapping and documentation in conjunction with other committees.”
