Long Islanders are being asked to conserve water as the region deals with a severe drought.

There has not been significant rainfall on Long Island in at least nine weeks.

The Suffolk County Water Authority says the average homeowner uses between 400 and 500 gallons of water a day.

A large portion of that water is for exterior use and in these drought conditions, the water authority is asking Long Islanders to water their lawns later in the afternoon or early in the evening.

Officials say if everyone is watering all at once, it taxes the system especially in drought conditions.