FAIRBURY, Neb. -- The town of Fairbury declared a water emergency, leading to restrictions.

The restrictions provide instructions for when residents can water their lawn, to effectively save water during the summer. 

“If you have an even numbered house or business, you water on the even number days,” said Jeff Sweetser, Water Superintendent for the City of Fairbury. “If you have a odd numbered house or business, you water on the odd number days. Well, It got really hot that day and we had everybody using water at the same time.”

During a heat wave in late July, nearly two million gallons of water were used in only one day, spurring the emergency. 

Sweetser said there are effective ways to water your grass and plants while not wasting anything.

“Mother nature has got everything to do with it with rain but a way they can help us is if they sprinkle with irrigation, make sure the water is going on the yard. Don’t have it going out on the street,” Sweetser said. “Water running down the street doesn’t do anybody any good. It doesn't do us any good and it doesn't do the homeowner any good."

The city has had restrictions for two summers straight, but has never declared more than a warning. 

Sweetser said as long as everybody follows the restrictions, there won’t need to be an emergency for long.

“Probably every summer now for a while, the last two years, we have asked people to irrigate every other day. If they do, we are fine on water. We can supply all the water we need,” Sweetser said. “It’s when everybody wants to use water at the same time, that’s when we could run into trouble. And we are just trying to prevent that. Get the news out and it’s good for everybody.”

Sweetser said the restrictions will most likely finish near the end of September.