MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District issued a Water Drop Alert Thursday, Oct. 1, asking residents to cut back on water use as heavy rain and storms move through the area.

MMSD is asking people to hold off on washing dishes and laundry, take shorter showers and empty rain barrels to help reduce the risk of basement backups and sewer overflows.

Residents can sign up for future alerts by texting WATERDROP to (414) 296-4422, or GOTADEAGUA for Spanish alerts.

More information is available by clicking here.