The Calera Water Board has lifted all watering restrictions for city residents.

The board withdrew the bans due to an increase in rainfall and a decrease in consumer use as temperatures cool off.

After a Sept. 26 meeting, the board issued the following statement: &8220;In response to our current water supply condition, the Calera Water Board lifted watering restrictions within the city of Calera effective Sept. 26 at 5 p.m.&8221;

Calera had had some of the toughest restrictions (and fines for violators) in the Birmingham area because earlier this summer the city&8217;s supply tank dipped to critical levels, forcing water pumps to work continuously.

Calera&8217;s water board recently borrowed $8 million to pay for a new filtration plant at Lafarge quarry off Alabama 25, and when online, the plant will help the city meet demands by adding millions of gallons of water to the city&8217;s supply.

&8220;This should take care of all our water needs,&8221; said Bobby Joe Phillips, water board chairman and Calera councilman.

Phillips also said while all restrictions are removed,

residents should still water &8220;smartly&8221; and conserve when possible.

The city of Alabaster followed Calera&8217;s move and withdrew its water restrictions effective Oct. 1, after easing them considerably earlier in September. Shelby County also removed its voluntary restrictions Sunday.