NEW YORK -- Mayor Michael Bloomberg on Tuesday declared a "Stage One" drought emergency, implementing restrictions on water usage by residents and businesses around the city.

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"Our city is in the midst of the worst drought it has experienced in a decade," said Bloomberg, speaking on a cloudy day at a water supply facility in the Bronx.

A drought emergency is declared when there is a reasonable probability that continued dry periods could cause severe strain on the city's reservoirs unless consumption is stringently reduced.

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Water Emergency Declared

The restrictions, which take effect on Monday, will affect the city's 8 million residents and about 1 million suburbanites.

The limits are to be enforced by the Department of Environmental Protection and the New York Police Department, and by local authorities in suburban communities.

When a Stage 1 Drought Emergency is declared, mandated prohibitions direct and restrict the use of water. Prohibited activities include:

No washing of vehicles

No washing of sidewalks, driveways or streets

Watering of lawns is restricted to 7-9 AM and 7-9 PM for even number addresses on even dates and for odd number addresses on odd dates.

Golf courses may water only tees and greens

Ornamental fountains must be turned off

Private swimming pools may be filled during Stage 1 Drought Emergency; however, if the City enters later stages, this is prohibited.

In addition, signs asking consumers to save water must be posted in all buildings, except small residential properties.

After a winter with little precipitation, the city declared a drought warning on Jan. 27, asking residents to limit their water consumption.

The city's massive upstate watershed is at half its storage capacity. Around the state, drought warnings have been issued in more than two dozen counties. Drought advisories have been in effect in parts of the state since Dec. 6.

The city's water supply also provides water to about a million people who live outside the five boroughs. About 85 percent of the water consumed in Westchester County is provided from the city's system, as is about 7.5 percent of the water consumed in Ulster, Orange and Putnam counties.

Putnam, Westchester, Ulster and Orange counties are also under a Stage 1 water emergency.

Despite the shortage, the New York metropolitan area still has a 9-month supply. But it still pays to be careful.

"It's not that we're at death's door and we have a major problem, it's that we have to recognize that we have to do something to extend that if we want to see this go away without any major problems on hand," said Joel Miele, Department of Environmental Protection commissioner.