ATLANTA -- Big changes across metro Atlanta took place today and they affect how tens of thousands of people are allowed to use water.

There are new restrictions and punishments in some metro suburbs -- Click Here for a list of several of those. But one place announcing changes is the City of Atlanta. Almost one-third of the water flowing through city pipes and hydrants goes to commercial users. Everybody is supposed to cut water use ten percent at home and at work and Channel 2 went to one business where water is crucial.

Atlanta Water Gardens is all about water. They sell fountains and the fish that go into ponds. The drought has cut business and heightened co-owner Bill Parker’s water awareness. “I’m pretty aware of what we use on a monthly basis anyway and I'm going to be ever-so-much mindful now,” said Parker.

It’s people like Parker Mayor Shirley Franklin is appealing to cut their water use ten percent. She is mindful that drought is hard on businesses. “We are very worried about the economic impact of a continued drought. But we are equally worried about the impact on public safety and public health if we do not have clean drinking water” said Franklin.

Atlanta is not pressing for punishments for people or businesses that don’t cut back, at least, not yet. Franklin said in the past, Atlantans have always risen to the needs of the community, including raising their own water rates to pay for a billion dollars worth of water pipe repairs to cut down on wasteful leaks.