With the drought expected to worsen over the summer, Georgia Environmental Protection Division Director Carol Couch told Georgians today to be responsible and continue conserving water.

"Lake Lanier is of critical concern today and will remain so through the summer and fall," Couch said.

Lanier, the main source of water for more than 3 million metro Atlantans, is 14.4 feet below full. This time last year the lake was 5.4 feet below full.

Couch said she has no immediate plans to tighten outdoor watering restrictions. Starting in February, Gov. Sonny Perdue, on Couch's advice, relieved the near total ban to allow some limited watering of lawns and gardens.

The watering restrictions and responsible indoor water use have led to significant water savings, Couch said.

In 55 north Georgia counties, including metro Atlanta, 28 percent less water was used in May this year than in May 2007.

"That's a remarkable achievement in a very short period of time," Couch said.

In metro Atlanta, homeowners can water using a hand-held garden hose up to 25 minutes a day from midnight to 10 a.m. on three days a week. Odd-numbered addresses can water on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays; even-numbered addresses can water on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.