Nearly 69 percent of Connecticut is facing a severe drought after being upgraded on Thursday from a moderate drought.
Cities and towns are having to impose water restrictions until the state receives a soaking rain.
The town of Manchester has upgraded its water conservation advisory, placed in mid-August, to what's known as voluntary conservation.
"Before it was an advisory just to let people know that we’re getting into this now that we’re below 70 percent were looking for people to actually voluntarily conserve the water," said Patrick Kearney with the town of Manchester Water and Sewer Department.
In mid-August, the advisory told residents the town faced an 80 percent water level in its reservoir system. On Thursday, Kearney told NBC Connecticut it is at about a 68 percent capacity.
Manchester’s Water and Sewer Department is asking residents for their help to conserve water.
"They could stop watering their lawn, stop washing their cars," said Kearney.
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"Basically try not to use water outside as much as possible and to utilze the water inside very good."
Residents are advised to run full loads of dishes or laundry, as well.
As of Thursday night all cities and towsn provided water by Aquarion Water, Connecticut Water Company have been placed on a voluntary conservation.
Water departments in Bristol, East Lyme, Hazardville, Manchester, Norwich and Montville are also on a voluntary conservation.
Southington has a mandatory water restriction for its residents and UConn has a Stage III Water Supply Watch.
