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The Skye Island water tank. [Village of Endicott photo][/caption]

A water conservation directive has been issued to thousands of people and businesses served by the Endicott water system.

The village water department is warning customers that ground water levels in Endicott and the Town of Union are very low.

The system serves 46,000 customers in Endicott, Endwell, West Corners and other parts of the Town of Union.

Officials say they are experiencing difficulty maintaining adequate water supplies in the tanks used by the system.

Customers are being advised not to wash cars, fill swimming pools or water lawns.

People also are urged to limit laundry washing and to avoid any other unnecessary water use.

The directive to conserve water comes days after New York's Department of Environmental Conservation issued a statewide drought watch. It's the first such watch issued since 2002.

The agency noted that public water suppliers might require restrictions on use depending on local needs and condition.

Some forecasters have said the drought conditions likely will worsen in New York over the next three months.

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