If you use more than 20,000 gallons a month of treated water in Fayette County, you're soon going to be paying a premium for your watering ways.

The Fayette County Commission unanimously adopted a new water conservation rate for residential customers last Thursday.

Water Director Tony Parrot explained the rate was a mandate from the Metropolitan North Georgia Water District. The district was created in 2001 to better plan water use and wastewater management for a 16-county area in the Atlanta region.

Parrot explained the district calls for a water conservation rate in each of the 16 counties. The current water rate for a three-quarter inch meter is $16 for the first 2,000 gallons and $2.80 for each 1,000 gallons after the initial 2,000.

The conservation rate would keep the same base rate for all size meters, but would increase the rate to $3.80 per gallon for total usage after 20,000 gallons for meters up to two inches in size.

The water rate should only apply to about 2,700 of the county's 27,000 customers, Parrott added.

"I think this is unfortunate, but we have to do it," said Chairman Greg Dunn.

Parrott said notices would be placed on residents' bills for about the upcoming change and said he would report