Portsmouth asks residents to limit outdoor water use as dry conditions continue

Portsmouth officials are asking residents to limit their outdoor water usage because of ongoing hot and dry conditions.Officials said the dry weather has caused low river and reservoir levels.New Hampshire’s Seacoast is experiencing moderate drought conditions. The amount of rain that has fallen in the area since May is about 6 inches below normal for this time of year.>> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play <<Portsmouth officials said that rain earlier in the week wasn’t enough to relieve the dry conditions. They’re asking residents not to water their lawns or use water outside more than once or twice a week.”Right now, we’re just asking people to be aware and do what they can to use water efficiently,” said Albert Pratt, Portsmouth water resources director.Officials said the city is not yet in a worst-case scenario, so water restrictions are voluntary at this point. If conditions worsen, the restrictions could become mandatory.