WATERTOWN, S.D.(KXLG)- Last week, on Wednesday, July 26, the temperature in Watertown soared to nearly 100 degrees, and air conditioners were working hard to keep homes comfortable. On that day, Watertown Municipal Utilities reported a new daily peak electricity usage of 79.86 megawatts. That easily beat the old single-day usage record of 76.24 megawatts set last summer on August 7.

Director of Operations Burt Megstadt told KXLG News that the demand was well within Municipal Utilities’ supply capabilities. He said more customers, rather than the high temperatures, contributed to the new usage record.

In addition to the electrical demand record, Municipal Utilities experience a new high in water usage. Watertown customers used more water during June than in any other June in history. Megstadt said the arid conditions meant more people were watering their lawns during June.