Cary, N.C. — Town officials said Tuesday that an outdoor sprinkling ban would continue through at least March 31.

The ban doesn't apply to homes and businesses that use reclaimed water or people who irrigate with wells or from lakes, officials said. Watering by hand, pressure-washing, and car washing are still allowed any day of the week.

The sprinkling ban had been set to expire on Feb. 29 before the extension.

“As predicted, winter rains have not been able to bring our region out of this drought, and it’s important that we continue to chart a very conservative course with our water demand to ensure we have an adequate water supply for the high temperatures we know are just around the corner,” Public Works and Utilities Director Steve Brown said in a statement.