Ringwood Borough
Contact Us
ringwood-kayak

Ringwood, NJ is special to everyone who lives here.

Our residents treasure our access to hiking trails and beautiful lakes, surrounded by scenic mountains. Our lakes are a key recreational element in Ringwood, and maintaining healthy properties in town supports healthy lakes. What we put on lawns goes into the ground—and the groundwater that runs into our lakes. And as a town that relies heavily on septic systems, it’s also crucial that Ringwood residents care for their septic tanks for the health of our community as well. Together, we can protect our land, children, pets, and aquatic life and safeguard our cherished Ringwood lifestyle. Together, let’s make healthy lakes a shore thing.

Wherever you live in Ringwood, everything you put on or in the ground finds its way into our lake water. Here are the steps you can take to make a difference and keep our lakes pristine.

Lawn & Garden

Fertilizers and other chemicals we use on lawns and in gardens cause algae blooms that lead to lake closures.

Take Action

Use natural fertilizers and weed control products. Switch to organic gardening—it’s easy! Here’s our guide.

Green Solutions

Septic System Maintenance

When septic systems are not maintained or pumped, they leak and pollute groundwater, which flows into our lakes.

Take Action

Septic systems must be pumped every three years and need routine maintenance to avoid costly repairs. Find out how.

Septic Maintenance

Pets & Wildlife

Chemical products that contain warnings that they are harmful to skin or if ingested may also harm pets and wildlife.

Take Action

Read labels before applying products indoors/outdoors; shield pets from chemicals, don’t spray near trails or lakes.

Read Labels

Rain Gardens: Good for Your Home and the Earth

Rain gardens are filled with native plants and flowers, rocks, and permeable soil to capture and absorb stormwater. They improve soil drainage, protect your home from water damage, and contain polluted runoff before it hits our waterways.

Take Action

Install a rain garden

Learn More

Take Action and Protect Your Investment

Studies have linked water quality with property values in lake communities throughout the U.S. Lake communities are in demand, and the value of properties within these communities depends upon the quality of the lake. All property owners in Ringwood, not just lakefront property owners, can make a difference. If we all practice lake-friendly living, we will all be able to enjoy the beauty and health of Ringwood for years to come.

Visit the Ringwood Borough website for Health Department news and updates.

Health Department

Maintain our quality of lake life in Ringwood

Make healthy lakes a shore thing!

Avoid algae blooms, keep us boating/fishing/swimming, enjoying a “green” Ringwood. Here are some ways to do so.

Create a rain garden

Test water

Switch to “natural” fertilizers

Plant wisely – vegetative garden, buffer plantings, other measures

Be careful what goes down your drain (food waste to avoid)

Septic pumping  & inspection

Care for your leach field

ringwood-lake-homes

20% of homes in US depend on septic systems to treat wastewater

In northern NJ, many lake communities rely on septic systems

Conversion of summer homes into year-round homes increases stress placed on septic system

This increased use adds more pollutants to leach fields

ringwood-lake-homes-water

Share your Ringwood moments

Follow us on social media and share how you’re enjoying Ringwood’s lakes, trails and parks.

ringwood-kayak

Have questions?

Need more information?

Visit the Ringwood Borough website for Health Department News and Updates

Health Department

Get in Touch

Sign me up!

Sign-up for the latest information on septic maintenance and green alternatives for your landscaping.

60 Margaret King Ave.
Ringwood, NJ 07456
Health Department
(973) 962-7079

© 2023 Borough of Ringwood, NJ. All Rights Reserved.

Site by Rapunzel Creative

60 Margaret King Ave.
Ringwood, NJ 07456
Health Department
(973) 962-7079

© 2023 Borough of Ringwood, NJ. All Rights Reserved.

Site by Rapunzel Creative

How contaminated runoff harms pets and wildlife

High algal blooms (HABs) are unsightly on the surface but cause great damage to Ringwood’s lakes—as well as to aquatic wildlife and plants, and our pets. 

The toxins generated from HABs deplete the oxygen in the water, which essentially chokes the fish and leads to fish kills. They may also inhibit grazing activities of tiny plankton and reduce the growth and reproduction of these tiny aquatic communities. These toxins also block the sunlight that underwater plants need for photosynthesis, which causes the aquatic plant life to die as well.

 

No Pets Allowed!

Many dog owners enjoy tossing sticks into the lakes for their dogs to fetch. And many dogs love to plunge in to cool off in the lake on a hot summer day. During periods of high algae bloom, this is quite dangerous for our pets as well as area wildlife that lives near or relies on lake water.

After all, while humans can see these blooms and read signs warning them not to enter the water, our pets and wildlife cannot make that judgment call. When the lake water is dangerous for us to be in, it’s crucial to also keep our pets out. Pets and the many deer, rabbits, raccoons and other animals in our town can be poisoned through drinking or swimming in toxin-contaminated water.

Ringwood-pets-and-wildlife-care

No Pets Allowed!

Many dog owners enjoy tossing sticks into the lakes for their dogs to fetch. And many dogs love to plunge in to cool off in the lake on a hot summer day. During periods of high algae bloom, this is quite dangerous for our pets as well as area wildlife that lives near or relies on lake water.

After all, while humans can see these blooms and read signs warning them not to enter the water, our pets and wildlife cannot make that judgment call. When the lake water is dangerous for us to be in, it’s crucial to also keep our pets out. Pets and the many deer, rabbits, raccoons and other animals in our town can be poisoned through drinking or swimming in toxin-contaminated water.

Signs your pet has been exposed to HABs

Symptoms of HAB exposure in pets may include

  • excessive salivation
  • fatigue
  • difficulty breathing
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • seizures

Death can occur within hours to days of exposure.

Signs your pet has been exposed to HABs

Symptoms of HAB exposure in pets may include

  • excessive salivation
  • fatigue
  • difficulty breathing
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • seizures

Death can occur within hours to days of exposure.

These EPA videos explain algal issues

What Are Harmful Algal Blooms?

Watch Video

Consequences of algal blooms

Watch Video

You can also learn more at SepticSmart Homeowners

Learn More

Protect Your Property Value. Protect Our Lakes.

Pump your septic tank and have it inspected.
A well-maintained septic system:

  • Prevents groundwater contamination
  • Saves you a costly system replacement
  • Keeps our lakes open and safe for all to enjoy

Protect Property Value
Septic systems are designed to be periodically inspected and pumped to function properly and avoid expensive problems. Maintaining your septic tank according to schedule saves homeowners money on costly repairs or replacements. And because it keeps pollutants out of leach fields and groundwater, routine septic care also maintains property values—a win-win situation for all Ringwood residents!

Top 4 Things You Can Do To Protect Your Septic System

Inspect and pump out your system every three years

Use water efficiently

Don't dispose of non-biodegradable items or household hazardous liquids in sinks or toilets

Care for your leach field – avoid excessive water use, repair leaky toilets and drains, remove tree and plant roots that interfere with pipes, avoid damage from heavy vehicles on top of the field.

How to Care for Your Septic System

Learn how to care for your septic and keep it in the best condition, from the Ringwood Health Department.

Learn More

Septic System Operation & Maintenance Checklist

Learn More

Septic Installation Guidance for Homeowners

A helpful guide about the installation process from the Ringwood Health Department.

Learn More

NJDEP Homeowner Septic Information

Learn More
Septic Inspection Companies

EPA Septic Smart Video: Learn How to Make a Difference

Watch Video

Alternatives to Chemicals and Fertilizers

Consider a switch from phosphate- or nitrate-based fertilizers to environmentally friendly lawn amendments. Doing so prevents groundwater contamination that ends up running off into waterways and lakes causing harmful algal blooms (HABs).

Why is this so important? Because the cyanotoxins HABs release produce adverse health effects that range from a mild skin rash and hay fever-type symptoms to serious illnesses. For our residents’ health and safety, HABs cause us to close lakes to swimmers and boaters. No one wants that! It also harms aquatic flora and fauna.

Green solutions protect our groundwater and lakes, reduce HABs, and create a safer environment for your home and family.

Green solutions protect our groundwater and lakes, reduce HABs, and create a safer environment for your home and family.

Use phosphorus-free and nitrate-free fertilizers, avoid pesticides on lawns and garden beds.

Swap your toxic household chemical cleaners with less deleterious “natural” plant-based products.

Be careful about what you flush—expired medications must be disposed of properly at the pharmacy; recycle hazardous materials at utilities collection sites.

Minimize Runoff

which picks up and carries pollutants to our lakes. Reduce impermeable surfaces that create runoff, and don’t overwater your lawn.

Eliminate Pollutants

at their source by avoiding use of harmful fertilizers, household toxins, and other chemicals. Prevent failing septic systems that contribute to ground pollution.

Capture & Isolate

any pollutant-carrying runoff before it reaches the lakes with shoreline buffer plantings, rain barrels, and rain gardens.