"This morning’s drastic drop in water usage demonstrates just how much water is used by residents during the peak morning hours just to water lawns," said MWRA Executive Director Douglas B. MacDonald.

During this past week’s heat wave MWRA was transporting drinking water at a rate of close to 400 million gallons a day during the peak hours of 6 to 10 o’clock in the morning and the evening. This morning’s peak rate was down to just 350 mgd.

"MWRA’s water supply remains abundant," he said. "Our reservoirs are nearly full, but during heat spells like the one we recently experienced, people tend to draw upon the system at the same time in the morning and the evening, causing pressure problems in a handful of communities.

"With future heat waves sure to come this summer, MWRA asks that customers continue to refrain from watering lawns between 6 and 10 o’clock in the morning and evening, so that everyone will have enough pressure for their household needs at the beginning and end of the day," he said.

MWRA provides drinking water to 46 communities, most located in the metropolitan Boston area.