A water advisory, in place since late June, has now been lifted.
Scott Lee, water operations manager for the municipality, said the advisory was lifted on Sept. 21, a few weeks later than anticipated.
He said the municipality had hoped to have the advisory lifted by Labour Day.
The late water advisory came in part because of the unusual spring and summer weather this year.
The weather was cooler and wetter than usual in spring and in July, but hot and dry since August.
“Our demand didn’t increase until late August and September,” he said.
At present, the demand for water is dropping as temperatures are beginning to drop and orchardists are picking fruit, not irrigating.
The water treatment plant can process 74 megalitres of water a day, but during the peak irrigation season, the community uses 140 to 150 megalitres a day.
To meet the demand, chlorinated water is mixed with the treated water during peak periods.
Lee said when the water system separation is complete, water for irrigation will be separate from domestic water.
At present, the first and second phases of the water system separation in the Prairie Valley area have been completed.
The next phase of separation is the Garnett Valley area.