ROCK HILL, S.C. -- After a year of tight restrictions on water use, the city of Rock Hill is loosening up a bit.

In a special-called meeting, city council members voted Tuesday night to allow lawn watering twice a week. The vote came after a recommendation from a drought management committee that found drought conditions improving across the Carolinas.

That's not the only change ahead for Rock Hill water customers. Beginning Oct. 1, customers’ city water bills will change, too. Rock Hill will join Charlotte and Union County by having a tiered billing system that charges customers based on whether they use more or less than the average homeowner does.

"Any time you use more water than the average home will use, you'll pay a little more for the water," said Rock Hill Utilities Director Jimmy Bagley.

Bagley said the average family in Rock Hill uses 250 gallons of water per day, or about 7,500 gallons a month.

Here's how the tiered system works: if you use 7,500 gallons or less, you'll pay $1.29 for every 1,000 gallons. However, if you go over 7,500 gallons a month, you'll pay $1.94 per 1,000 gallons.

Heavy water users who use in excess of 10,000 gallons a month, will pay more than that. Bagley said only about 5 percent of people use that much water.

City officials said the new system is aimed at reminding people that despite recent rains, drought is a constant threat, and with York County's growth, water is a resource that needs to be preserved.

"We aren't trying to penalize anyone. We're looking for life changes in terms of people's habits," Bagley said.

Before the drought began two years ago, Rock Hill homeowners used much more water than they do now. Officials said about 80 percent of homeowners won't even notice a change in their monthly bill. Only heavy users will see a small increase.

Homeowners like Bob Carter planted grass seeds this fall for the first time in four years. He said he doesn't plan to water much, but he worries about the cost increase on low-income families.

"There's people that can't afford it," Carter said.

The new billing system goes into effect Wednesday.