EAST CARBON, Utah -- If there was ever a year people in East Carbon could use some April showers it's this year.
Due to an ongoing drought their water supply is quickly drying up. So the city has passed a new ordinance restricting all outdoor water use.
"We can't water our flower garden, we can't water our lawns, our kids can't play in the sprinklers, we can't wash our cars, it's affected us a lot," said Bryant Bridge, of East Carbon.
The Bridge family loves playing baseball, they just wish the field was green, not brown. However, you won't see the sprinkler system on at the park, or any lawn in town.
East Carbon officials say their reservoir is about 15 feet below normal. By restricting all outdoor water use they're saving about 500,000 gallons a day.
"The water just keeps going down, and there is no snow pack left, so the remaining water of what we'll get will hardly be anything," said Mayor Doug Parsons.
The city has even hired a hydrologist who will be looking at alternative sources of H2O.
"If the reservoir goes dry what do you do? Where do you get the water from? So it's a drastic measure that we're taking," Parsons said.
Some residents have found ways around the city's restrictions, by recycling water from the house.
"I have put the drainage from my washing machine into a great big tote and then I just pump the water onto the lawn," said Mandy Huff. "That will be plenty of water to keep my tiny lawn green."
Huff said not only does this clever invention save water, but also money. However, other residents will continue to look above for their water solutions.
"I have not seen us as dry as we are now, we are super dry," said Ruby Cordova. "And if anyone believes in prayer, pray for rain in East Carbon."
If people are caught illegally using water outside, they could be fined up to $200.
