A Hawthorne Dispatch Base Close to Ridgewood
Our shop at 111 Wagaraw Road is where every emergency call is dispatched. Ridgewood is a short trip from Hawthorne, usually about 10 to 12 minutes without traffic, though that is only an estimate. Bad weather or a late-night closure can change it, and the dispatcher will tell you what to expect.
Ridgewood is the larger village in this group, with a 2020 population of 25,979. More homes means more calls on stormy nights, so a short phone call early is worth more than waiting to see if the leak slows.
Water Pouring Into Your Ridgewood Home? Act Now
The first few minutes decide how much of the house is affected. Do the following if you can do it safely, then call us.
- Close the main water valve, and if the water is from a sewer backup, stop using every fixture.
- Shut off power to flooded areas at the breaker only if the panel is dry and you are not wet.
- Clear the floor of anything that can be damaged, and keep people out of the affected rooms.
- If you smell gas, leave the building and call 911 or the gas utility from outside.
- Call our 24/7 emergency line and tell us which rooms are wet.
Sewage water carries bacteria. Keep children and pets away, and wear boots and gloves if you must enter.
Clean Water Leak or Sewage Backup: Two Different Calls
The first move depends on what is coming into the house. Telling the dispatcher which one it is sends the right gear.
Clean water leak
- Water from a pipe, heater or fixture supply.
- Shut off the main or the local valve.
- Usually stops once the valve is closed.
- Repair the pipe or fixture.
Sewage backup
- Dark or smelly water at drains or floor.
- Stop all water use and stay out.
- Does not stop by closing the main.
- Clear the line, then inspect it.
Ridgewood Water, Hard Water and Your Heater
Ridgewood Water serves the village from 52 wells, buys water from another supplier and takes some from the Hawthorne Water Department at peak summer demand. The utility describes its hardness as about 14 grains or 250 ppm, and a past report showed a wide range from 136 to 470 ppm. At that level, scale builds up in heaters and on shutoffs, so a heater that is older may fail without much warning.
If you have scale, a rumbling tank or lukewarm water, a water heater replacement planned on your schedule beats an emergency one at midnight. For pressure or water quality questions on the public side, contact Ridgewood Water, since it manages the system.
Heavy Rain, Brooks and Basements in Ridgewood
Ida hit parts of Ridgewood hard in September 2021. The Army Corps of Engineers has been studying flooding along the Ho-Ho-Kus Brook and Saddle River, which tells you how real the risk is for some streets.
| Situation | Risk | Do first | Who helps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water rising at the basement floor. | Electrical shock and sewage. | Stay out and shut off power if safe. | Call 911 if it is deep. |
| Floor drain bubbling in rain. | Sewer backup | Stop water use. | Call us for drain clearing. |
| Sump pump running constantly. | Pump may fail. | Check the discharge outlet. | Call us for a pump check. |
| Flooded yard near the foundation. | Seepage into the house. | Clear gutters and downspouts. | Call us if water enters. |
We cannot stop a brook from rising, but we can keep a sump pump working and clear a line that backs up. If a sewer pipe is cracked, sewer line repair is the next step.
Repairs That Need a Permit in Ridgewood
Some jobs, such as a new water heater, may need a permit. The Building Department is at 131 N Maple Ave, and it can tell you what your project needs. We can describe the work in writing so you have what you need for the office.
Ridgewood on the Map
Ridgewood uses ZIP 07450. The map shows the village, and our Hawthorne base is only a short drive away.
Ridgewood and the Neighbors We Also Serve
Pipe burst or sewer backing up in Ridgewood?
Shut off the water if you can and call our 24/7 emergency line. We will guide you while a plumber heads over from Hawthorne.
Common Questions
Yes. Our line is open 24/7, including nights, weekends and holidays. A dispatcher in Hawthorne takes your call and sends a plumber.
Ridgewood's street addresses use 07450, which covers the village. The 07451 code is for PO Boxes, so it does not apply to a house call. If your address is in the village, we can dispatch to you.
Stop using all water, keep everyone out of the area and call us. Sewage is a health risk, so do not clean it up yourself before the line is cleared.
Often, when the unit is in stock and access is easy. Same-day appointments are available when the schedule allows.
Call Ridgewood Water or 911 if water is flooding the road. A leak inside your house is ours, but the public main is the utility's.
Yes, for pumps, drains and pipes. For deep water or electrical danger, leave and call 911 first.
Local figures on this page come from the Hawthorne Water Department's 2026 Water Quality Report, the borough's Environmental Resource Inventory and Ridgewood Water's published water quality reporting. Check current numbers with those sources before you rely on one.