GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) - Upstate residents beset by an extreme drought are using an age-old system to provide needed water to their outdoor plants and gardens.

Spartanburg gardener Steve Patton tells The Greenville News he
started using a rain barrel when the well supplying his home
started having problems.

His 1,000 gallon cistern is fed by a downspout off his roof.

It keeps his garden green and soon will provide washing and bathroom water to his house.

Last month, the state's Drought Response Committee increased the
number of counties in extreme drought to 14 and asked residents
there to stop watering lawns and washing their cars at home.

Scott Stapleton installs cisterns and rain harvesting systems.

He says residents and businesses are harvesting rainwater to fight
droughts and water restrictions.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)