HUDSON COUNTY — Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise and United Water New Jersey officials are asking the company’s customers in six North Hudson County towns to conserve water due to low water storage levels. The most effective way to do this is to water lawns only between the hours of 7 a.m.-10 a.m. and 7 p.m.-10 p.m., the county said.
DeGise explained that the request is due to a lack of precipitation, extreme temperatures, and high water usage. “Lawn watering can account for a 50 percent increase in water use,” he said. “Conservation efforts now may delay the need for tougher restrictions in the future.”
The request applies to the following North Hudson communities:
• Guttenberg
• North Bergen
• Secaucus
• Union City
• Weehawken
• West New York
The lawn watering request does not apply to United Water customers in Hoboken and Jersey City which are served by different reservoir systems.
The company also advised customers not to open fire hydrants. “We understand that the kids just want to cool off,” said a spokesman, “but one open fire hydrant wastes about 42,000 gallons of water each hour. This creates a dangerous situation and firefighters may not have enough water or water pressure to combat a blaze.” He asked residents to report open fire hydrants to the local police department. They can also call United Water’s 24 hour emergency department at 201- 487-0011.