A mandatory outdoor water restriction is in place in Waterbury following plummeting reservoir water levels, officials said.
"We are going the next stage, mandatory conservation," Waterbury Water Superintendent Chris Bogucki said.
With little rain over the past several months, followed by a mild winter, reservoir levels are less than half.
The mandatory restriction means no home car washing, lawn watering or any other outside water use.
Authorities said the restriction should reduce usage by 20 percent a day. That reduction saves 3 million gallons of water each day. Which helps with the 15 million gallons of water needed daily for more than 27,000 Waterbury customers.
"That would include households, businesses, municipal offices, commercial everything," Bogucki said.
Violators of the restriction could pay up to a $200 fine.
"First time we find it, we will have our people go over and remind them. Most people are cooperative," said Bogucki. "Give us a normal rainfall and we'll be Waterbury again"
Residents are asked to check their homes for water leaks in places like sinks and toilets, which plays a large factor in conserving.
Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut
