Boise residents are using more water during the drought

A prolonged drought and lackluster snowfalls have plunged much of the region into severe drought.

As a result, many communities have stressed conserving water ahead of what could be another disappointing winter snowfall.

In Boise, however, the need to conserve water has yet to sink in.

The Idaho Statesman reports Boiseans are actually using even more water, putting additional strain on an already stressed water supply.

As for what’s behind the increase in water…people watering their lawns.

Higher temperatures led many to start watering their lawns earlier in the summer and more often than normal.

So far, however, few cities in the region have issued restrictions on water use.

Caldwell and Nampa have asked residents to more closely monitor how much water they use, while irrigation districts have announced a cut to deliveries.