Rockland officials are lifting the county-wide, Stage II water emergency, which put restrictions on water usage.

The county says it's lifting the emergency even though it is still in a drought and is urging the community to still use less water.

County Executive Ed Day says he decided to lift the restrictions for several reasons, including recent rain and polio virus circulating.

He doesn't want anyone washing their hands less right now.

Day says water usage has fallen about 15% since the mandatory restrictions started. "First day we announced the drought restrictions, we had reduction of use of 11.4%. We're now at about 15% so people are listening, and they're responding like Rocklanders do," says Rockland County Executive Ed Day.

They were put in place because the drought left a significant Rockland water source with low water levels.

Day says keeping out of a water emergency rests with the community and to keep doing what you can to conserve.