Washing your car or watering your lawn? You’d better be a bit more careful about when you do it, now that the state has enacted tougher outdoor watering restrictions and declared a drought.

The state-wide restrictions forbid any watering on Fridays, and watering cannot take place between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. any other day of the week. Also, homes and businesses with an odd-numbered address can only water on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Those with an even-numbered address can water Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

The only times watering will be allowed Saturday through Thursday are between midnight and 10 a.m., and again from 4 p.m. until midnight.

The drought declaration was based on weather statistics and other indicators, including stream flows, lake levels, precipitation and groundwater levels.

“It’s important that citizens conserve water now to help ensure there is a sufficient water supply in the coming months,” said Carol A. Couch, director of the Georgia Environmental Protection Division.

A recent problem with the release of water from Lake Lanier in north metro Atlanta may also puts the metro area at a further drought risk, officials said. More than 22 billion gallons of water was mistakenly released downstream due to a miscalculation by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, officials said.

Water-saving tips include:

• Check all hoses, connectors and spigots regularly. Replace or add washers if leaks are found;

• Consider using a commercial car wash that recycles water. If not, park your car on the grass when you wash it, use a bucket with soapy water and turn off the hose while soaping. Also, a hose with a nozzle can decrease rinsing time;

• Use a broom instead of the garden hose to remove lawn debris from the driveway or sidewalk;

• Avoid purchasing outdoor toys that require a constant stream of water; and

• Avoid purchasing ornamental water features unless the water is recycled.