Due to the recent heat wave and well below average rainfall for the past 60 days, the City of Vineland Water Utility is experiencing much higher-than-normal customer demand. While there was some improvement over the weekend of June 22-23, the Vineland Water Utility’s water pumping capacity is dangerously inadequate to meet the existing water consumption demands by residents and commercial customers.
“Because of the situation, we have three primary concerns,” said Vineland Municipal Utilities Director John Lillie “First, due to the demand, the system is already experiencing lower water pressure than normal. Second, we face the possibility of having a demand higher than our pumping capacity, resulting in loss of water to our residents and business community. Finally, reduced capacity could impact public safety in the event of a major fire, which could lead to fire trucks literally sucking a water main dry. Our residents and business community conserving water is our best resource to alleviate the stress currently affecting our water distribution system.“
“As a result, we are instituting water use restrictions as outlined in the Vineland Municipal Code Chapter 687 – Part 4-Article 687-149. These restrictions will remain in effect until pumping capacity is restored. We thank you in advance for your cooperation and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause residents or businesses,” Director Lillie concluded.
Vineland Water Utility customers are required to take the following steps to reduce their water use. Restrictions on outdoor water use apply to all users in the City of Vineland at all times regardless of source of supply (e.g., public water supplies, well or ground water, lakes, streams, or ponds) unless expressly exempt in § 687-154, Exemptions. Such outdoor water use shall conform to the following water use restrictions:
A. Car washing, pressure washing, and other non-landscape outdoor water uses:
(1) Properties may only use water for this purpose two days per week.
(a) Properties with even number addresses may only use water on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
(b) Properties with odd number addresses may only use water on Thursdays and Sundays.
B. Lawn watering with a hose or hose-end sprinkler:
(1) Properties may only use water for this purpose two days per week.
(a) Properties with even number addresses may only use water on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
(b) Properties with odd number addresses may only use water on Thursdays and Sundays.
(2) Watering shall only be conducted between the hours of 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. or between the hours of 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.
(3) The watering of any single area shall not exceed thirty minutes per day.
(4) Flowers and shrubs may be watered as needed with a hand-held hose equipped with an automatic shut-off nozzle.
(5) No hose or hose-end watering shall be permitted when it is raining.
C. Irrigating lawns and landscapes with automatic irrigation systems equipped with a conventional irrigation controller:
(1) Properties may only use water for this purpose two days per week.
(a) Properties with even number addresses may only use water on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
(b) Properties with odd number addresses may only use water on Thursdays and Sundays.
(2) Irrigation shall only be conducted between the hours of 12 midnight and 10 a.m.
(3) Operation of any irrigation zone equipped with spray (mist) heads shall not exceed 15 minutes per zone. Operation of any irrigation zone equipped with rotary sprinkler heads shall not exceed 50 minutes per zone.
D. Flowers and shrubs irrigated with drip or micro irrigation:
(1) Properties may use water for this purpose as needed.
E. State of New Jersey requirements shall supersede those identified in this document when more stringent than those identified in the city ordinance.
