NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Despite receiving around three inches of rain this week, some communities in middle Tennessee are issuing voluntary water restrictions.

The city of Lafayette in Macon County is asking customers to reduce water use by 15 percent.

A lack of rainfall has depleted the water supply in the springs it uses to get water. The city is asking people not to water their lawns.

Woodbury in Cannon County also has voluntary water restrictions in place.

Bredesen Seeks Federal Help Because Of Drought

Gov. Phil Bredesen on Wednesday requested a federal agricultural disaster designation for 11 more counties suffering from drought.

They are Benton, Carroll, Claiborne, Hamilton, Hancock, Hawkins, Lauderdale, Rhea, Smith, Union and Wilson.

A designation from the U.S. Department of Agriculture would allow qualifying farmers to receive federal aid that could help them manage losses and plan for next year, the governor's office said in a news release Wednesday.

A decision by the USDA is still pending on a similar request last month for 28 other counties.

Meanwhile, much of Tennessee received badly needed rain Tuesday and Wednesday. Many areas got 2 to 5 inches, and for some it was the first rain in a month.