Water Needs
During the early 1900s, the city consisted of approximately 20,000 people, who needed potable water on a daily basis. It took five million gallons of water per day to supply a population of 20,000 on an un-metered system. By 1920, the Water Commission metered every service in the city, including domestic, commercial, fire and sprinkler systems. As a result, the commission has been able to serve the growing community with less water – from 90 gallons per person per day to 63 gallons per person per day.
Today, the commission serves over 65,000 residents in East Orange and it takes on average 11 million gallons of water per day (mgd) to satisfy the needs of the citizens.