ATLANTA - Water use in most of metro Atlanta peaked over the weekend right along with the mercury - which hit 95 degrees. <br>
<br>
But the amount of water used Saturday and Sunday was still under record usage reached before the state imposed outdoor watering bans in June 2000. <br>
<br>
Spikes ranged from rises of seven percent in DeKalb County to 14 percent in north Fulton compared to the preceding nine days from May 23rd to May 31st. Water use in the city of Atlanta and south Fulton declined slightly. <br>
<br>
Water officials said they expect usage to spike on summer weekends. But with Georgia going into its fifth year of drought and the metro area's growth, they're closely watching the meters. <br>
<br>
Last week, the state Environmental Protection Division decided outdoor watering restrictions were doing the job and opted not to tighten them. <br>
<br>
The rules allow for outdoor water use every other day between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m.
