DAVENPORT, Neb. (AP) — A southern Nebraska natural resources district has banned lawn watering and car washing as the drought and high temperatures raise the demand for water.

Little Blue Natural Resources District says its Little Blue Public Water Project is in an emergency situation because the system pumps can’t keep up with demand and water towers can’t be filled.

The district says all nonessential water use should be curtailed.

The district website says its Little Blue Public Water Project serves more than 280 tower and business hookups in eastern Thayer County and west and central Jefferson County, including the villages of Gilead and Gladstone.

Water is bought from the city of Fairbury and is piped through 120 miles of buried lines.