The Cities of Alcoa, Maryville and Tuckaleechee Utility District are asking customers to reduce their water use due to drought conditions and go on a voluntary water conservation. Officials say that lower than normal rainfall combined with continued high temperatures have resulted in significantly less than normal water flow in the Little River this fall. Utilities are monitoring river conditions and weather closely to know how to react if Little River conditions deteriorate to critical levels. Voluntary conservation means watering lawns no more than twice a week and only from 8 PM to Midnight, operating irrigation systems manually, watering only when grass and plants begin to show signs of distress, checking irrigation system for water use efficiency, collecting rainwater at downspouts to water plants, not hose off driveways and sidewalks and minimizing water use for washing cars. The utilities say they are in the process of preparing to operate interconnections and an auxiliary raw water line that will provide additional water to the City of Alcoa Water Treatment Plant.