Winterset residents are being asked to conserve water as the level of the lake that supplies the city’s water continues to drop.

The level of Cedar Lake is at its lowest since 2006 and KCCI reported the 65-acre lake’s level gets lower each day.

The city’s water utilities manager says there hasn’t been any significant rain since July and with little rain in the forecast, the city is taking steps to keep more water in the lake by asking residents to voluntarily conserve water.

Officials say if the lake falls another 2 1/2 feet, the city will have to buy water from the Southern Iowa Rural Water Association. Residents are being asked to not wash cars, water their yards or run water when they brush their teeth.

–AP