The city of Norwalk has declared a water emergency due to record-low levels of rain.

Mayor Harry Rilling says the rain Wednesday night won't make a huge difference compared to the amount of water the city needs.

This is the least amount of rain on record in 43 years for the city.

A photo comparison of the reservoir shows the difference from May to September.

"It is nice to have our lawns look nice, but I think if everybody's lawn doesn't look nice then we're all in this together," said Norwalk resident Bobby Abagnale. "We gotta conserve, we gotta protect our planet."

The city is asking for residents to not use power washers, wash cars or trucks or use irrigation systems. Residents could be fined $90 for participating in those activities starting at Friday at 12 p.m.

Other ways to help conserve water include taking shorter showers, only washing full loads of laundry and reusing water for your plants.

The city says going to a car wash is OK, because they use recycled water.

Residents can water plants that have been planted this season and trees planted within the last three years.

"We know it's difficult, we know we all have to do our part, water is for human consumption, and we want to make sure that we don't waste this valuable resource," said Rilling.

This also applies to homes with well water.

The mayor says it will be in place until there is an acceptable amount of water reserves, which could take up to a month.