The Township Council has decided to delay action on a draft water conservation and irrigation ordinance despite calls from local activists and former township officials to adopt the law as soon as possible.

Under consideration is an outright ban of lawn-watering and outdoor plant watering from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in June, July and August to limit the amount of water taken from groundwater supplies that is lost to evaporation. Exemptions for new plantings, farms and nurseries are included.

Local ban proponents say the idea is to promote efficient and effective water usage and maintain supplies. Most of the mountainous township suffers from insufficient water availability, according to the municipality's draft environmental resource inventory. Consequently, state officials have recommended more vigilant conservation of the aquifers in West Milford through the limitation of development as well as consumptive and depletive water usage.

And studies have shown that lawn-watering is supply-exhausting usage. Throughout New Jersey, lawn irrigation accounts for nearly half of all homeowner water usage, according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

The draft ordinance originated from the West Milford Green Team, an advisory board for the municipal government. The Green Team is counting on the township adopting the ordinance as part of its effort to conserve local resources and gain certification from Sustainable Jersey, a statewide environmental grant program.

However, the ordinance has hit an unexpected obstacle en route to adoption.

Republican opposition

The Republican majority has said a law that regulates private wells on private property may not be valid or fair for residents when there are private companies, like the Passaic Valley Water Commission, that will still be allowed to draw water from wells in town without usage restrictions.

"The ordinance may infringe on public rights. I want to know more," said Councilman Philip Weisbecker Jr.

As a result, the council asked for more time to review the proposed ordinance, determine the current groundwater situation and ensure any adopted laws are right for the community.

"If this helps [the groundwater situation], I'll vote for it," Council President Joseph Smolinski added. "I'm not saying no. I'm just saying we need more time."

Still, Republican Councilwoman Marilyn Lichtenberg and lone democratic Councilman Robert Nolan are not convinced the ordinance presents any problems for the local government and are urging their colleagues to approve the local law, which was supported by the overwhelming majority of about 24 residents who addressed the council on the matter at the May 5 council meeting.

Local opinions

During that meeting, Former Mayor Maria Harkey questioned the council majority's stance on the draft ordinance, which is designed to protect all the township residents from having their wells run dry.

"Have you ever heard of evaporation or conservation? Why do you hate the environment?" Harkey asked. "Think green. Think blue. Don't think Republican. Don't think Democrat. It's an issue for West Milford, no matter what part of town."

Sustainable West Milford's Wendy Watson-Hallowell said that the facts show that the residents are using up West Milford's precious groundwater resources faster than they can be replaced. And with neighboring wells generally tapping into the same supply of groundwater, homeowners are left with two options: deal with a lack of water or pay to have their wells drilled deeper.

Consequently, Watson-Hallowell said imposing the law, which also encourages more effective lawn-watering practices, will not only keep lawns green, but also wells working throughout the drought-ridden summer months.

Robin O'Hearn of Skylands CLEAN – Citizens for Land, Environment and Neighborhoods – said the ordinance being considered, while beneficial to the groundwater supply, would not be too much of an imposition on the taxpayers. Unlike neighboring Ringwood, which has a more strict water conservation ordinance, West Milford's does not limit the duration of lawn-watering or the days on which residents can water.

Still, Lou Signorino, a candidate for the Township Council's Republican primary election in June, said the existence of a law that tells people what to do on their own property is a concern despite the obvious benefits of water conservation in a town that has suffered from water deficits.

Councilwoman Lichtenberg said the ordinance is not taking away anyone's rights, but is simply regulating wasteful usage of the underground water supply that so many homeowners rely on as their only source of water. She said the ordinance is less about enforcement and more about education and promotion of water conservation.

E-mail: zimmer@northjersey.com