RALEIGH, N.C. — While recent rains have helped some communities relax their water restrictions, some towns' restrictions are getting tighter.

The Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA) Board of Directors voted Thursday to proclaim a water supply emergency for its customers. Starting Monday, the towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro and other OWASA customers will be banned from outdoor watering and they must curtail water loss on some heating and cooling facilities.

Customers were previously allowed to water one day a week.

OWASA officials also discussed the need for a 25 percent reduction in the community's water use to address the risk that reservoirs could be depleted in 2003.

Officials said recent rainstorms added only about 20 days to their estimated water supply.