Out of the 105 counties in Kansas, 34 counties have populations that exceed 15,000 residents (2010 census). Out of those 34 counties, 27 of them are on or east of U.S. Highway 81, a traditional dividing line between eastern and western Kansas. Of those 7 western Kansas counties, all reside on or near a major aquifer except Ellis County. Given this lack of proximity to a major surface water or aquifer source, as well as recent drought conditions persist in the area, water conservation in Hays is as important as ever.