BETHEL – A weeklong ban on outdoor water use was temporarily lifted Thursday due to favorable weather conditions.

Bethel Water District Superintendent Lucien Roberge stated in a report early Thursday afternoon that the district’s main storage reservoir has reached capacity.

Trustees, however, said customers should be mindful of future use alerts and that maintenance of fire protection capacity and drinking water supply remain a priority.

“User cooperation with the restrictions has been excellent,” district consulting engineer Al Hodsdon stated.

Water availability will continue to be monitored and use will be adjusted daily until the district can construct an underground water supply system.

Pipeline construction and well construction could begin as early as September, according to a schedule released Thursday. Construction of a pumping station would start in mid-September.

If the schedule is approved and things go as expected, Hodsdon said the district could be back online by Christmas.