The governor partially lifted limits on water use in landscaping and exempted outdoor pools altogether from restrictions the state imposed last fall in 61 counties.

Easing the outdoor watering restrictions will put more of a dent in the water supply, an estimated 80 million gallons a day.

But Perdue?EUR??,,????'???s order includes limits aimed at discouraging homeowners from returning to the wasteful habits practiced before the drought.

Homeowners will be allowed to water only by hand for 25 minutes a day between midnight and 10 a.m. on an odd-even schedule.

Odd-numbered addresses can water on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. For homeowners with even-numbered addresses, watering will be allowed on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

Also, the current exemption that allows watering new professionally installed landscaping for 30 days will be changed to permit watering for three days a week, again using an odd/even schedule, for up to 10 weeks.

However, homeowners wishing to take advantage of that exemption must register with an online program designed to show them how to water conservatively.

The program will be on the Urban Agricultural Council?EUR??,,????'???s Web site at www.urbanagcouncil.com.

North Georgia?EUR??,,????'???s landscaping industry has lost 30,000 jobs since the total ban on outdoor watering took effect, resulting in a loss to the economy of about $2 billion, said Gary Black, president of the Georgia Agribusiness Council.

He said landscapers were looking for relief soon in order to save this year?EUR??,,????'???s planting season.

?EUR??,,????'??The goal is to restore confidence in the marketplace,?EUR??,,????'?? Black said. ?EUR??,,????'??The producers need to know they can produce ?EUR??,,????'??? and the retailers don?EUR??,,????'???t purchase unless they know they can sell.?EUR??,,????'??