The state's water chief applauded metro Atlantans and North Georgians Monday for using 20 percent less water in June this year compared to June 2007.

"Responsible conservation choices and outdoor watering rules continue to be effective," state Environmental Protection Division Director Carol Couch said in a statement.

EPD estimated the water saved at nearly 180 million gallons a day. That's about how much water the city of Atlanta and Gwinnett County pull out of Lake Lanier and the Chattahoochee River every day.

But the region also used more water in June than in May. An analysis of state data by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution found the amount of water withdrawn by metro Atlanta from the lake and river in June increased 8 percent over May.

Couch has said her division, along with state climatologist David Stooksbury, are monitoring drought conditions and could again tighten restrictions if necessary.

To find out when you can water, and to learn more about the exemptions for new landscapes, go to www.urbanagcouncil.com.