Residents and business owners in the community of Alma are being asked to conserve water.

Municipal officials said a sudden increase in usage last week led to a major drop in levels.

Bob Rochon is the mayor of Fundy Albert, which includes the community of Alma.

In an interview Monday, he said it remains unclear exactly what caused the increase in usage.

“We do not have any major indications of any major leaks because, over the wintertime, the water wasn’t being depleted,” said Rochon.

“It only happened Wednesday going into Thursday, which is indicative of a single event.”

The mayor said they are aware of a small leak in a fire hydrant on Ocean View Drive which is due to be replaced in the next couple of weeks.

Rochon said water levels have improved since a conservation notice went out over the weekend, but it is still not back to normal.

Residents are encouraged to take shorter showers; inspect faucets, toilets, and hoses for any leaks; wash full loads of laundry or dishes outside of peak hours between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m.; and turn off the tap when brushing their teeth.

Water problems are nothing new for the community of roughly 300 residents, which sees its population balloon during the summer tourism season.

During last year’s peak, the community was using five times more water than its reservoir was able to hold.

Officials were forced to install a temporary water supply from Fundy National Park, which led to a boil water advisory for the entire summer.

RELATED: Alma water system upgrades expected to start this year

Last fall, the three levels of government announced more than $12 million for two new wells and related infrastructure. Work is expected to begin this year and continue until 2026.

Alma will use a temporary water supply again this summer, but Rochon said they have taken proactive steps this year to ensure a boil water advisory will not be needed.

In the meantime, the mayor said residents should continue to conserve water wherever possible, even with the temporary supply.

“It’s important for people to do that because we don’t know what the summertime is going to bring,” said Rochon.

“If we have a very hot, dry summer, the water tables are impacted by the amount of water that we pull out of the ground. So if we don’t conserve, then we are going to run out.”