Residents in Rockland County are being asked to conserve their water. Over the past few days, officials say residents used 45 million gallons of water, which is close to system capacity.

Officials say the water problem stems from the rain this season coming via thunderstorms, which they say is localized and runs off quickly. They say another problem is that over the last 4 years the demand for water has gone up on the average of three to four million gallons a day.

Everyone is being asked to use less amounts of water when possible. Officials at the water department are urging people to run dishwashers and washing machines only when full and check around the house for leaks.