Marion County water customers could be looking at a mandatory watering ban in the near future.

Citizens Energy Spokesperson Sarah Holsapple says they're still monitoring the situation but the voluntary restrictions put in place last Friday has cut back on usage. "Since we asked for voluntary restrictions, we've gotten a pretty good response. We actually noticed usage dropped about 20 million gallons in the first day and the 2nd day another 20 million."

Holsapple says the mandatory ban could come within a week. Watering lawns and washing cars in driveways would be restricted under any mandatory ban. The ban would need approval from Mayor Greg Ballard, then it would be enforced by the Department of Code Enforcement.

Holsapple says it would take "days with hours of heavy downpour" to halt any mandatory ban.