MEDINA -- Water haulers are staying busy, supplying homes that rely on cistern water.

Bill Bauman has been in the water hauling business for 20 years.  He's been booked solid the last six weeks, working 12 hours a day to fill up cisterns at homes around Medina County.

Each of his four tankers holds 2,250 gallons.  Bill's Water Hauling is delivering 20 to 30 loads a day.

"When you get done at the end of the day, you still have that many more calls," he said.

Cisterns are holding tanks in the ground. Rain water is collected from the home's roof, and purified in the cistern. 

With little to no rain this summer, customers are in dire need of replenishment.  Many are finding that water haulers don't even have the time to fill up swimming pools, because the cistern situation is so drastic.

"As long as it stays dry like this, even if we get a couple of thunderstorms, it's not going to help. All the cisterns are empty," Bauman said.

It's 180 degrees opposite of last summer, when water haulers waited by the phone for business.  2011 brought record rainfall.

Bauman recommends people watch their cistern levels closely during the drought, and call when the level dips below the half way mark.

Because of high demand for delivery, it can take a day or two to meet a customer's needs. 

WKYC-TV