Grand Canyon National Park is scaling back emergency water conservation services for residents beginning Friday, Oct. 9, as increased water deliveries allow households to resume more normal water use.

The changes come as the park continues operating under Stage 4 water conservation measures. The restrictions apply to the Grand Canyon National Park community and do not impact the neighboring town of Tusayan.

According to a National Park Service news release, the park is now hauling more than 200,000 gallons of water into the community daily, helping stabilize the water supply while repairs to the park's water system continue.

The additional water deliveries mean residents can resume household activities, including laundry and showers, although conservation measures remain in effect.

The park began providing portable showers, restrooms, laundry facilities, handwashing stations and drinking water tanks in early September to help residents cope with the water emergency. Those services have been saving approximately 12,000 gallons of water daily.

However, park officials say hauling water directly into the existing water system is more efficient, allows for better monitoring of water quality and costs about half as much as maintaining the temporary residential services.

According to the Park Service, approximately 4.5 million gallons of water are expected to be delivered before the current hauling contract is completed.

As a result, several temporary services will be phased out over the next few days.

Friday, Oct. 9, will be the final day residents can fill their portable drinking water tanks. The tanks will be removed Saturday.

Portable showers will remain available until 9 p.m. Saturday, with the units scheduled for removal Sunday, Oct. 11.

Temporary laundry facilities and portable restrooms in residential areas will also be removed Sunday. Handwashing stations and portable restrooms around park offices will be reduced beginning this weekend.

Water conservation services at public and visitor locations, along with most administrative areas, will remain available. Residents may continue using those facilities.

Despite the improved water supply, park officials are urging residents to conserve water by limiting shower times, washing only full loads of laundry and reducing household water use wherever possible.

The emergency measures are expected to remain necessary until water pumping can resume, currently projected for around Nov. 16.

In its announcement, the National Park Service thanked residents for their cooperation and emphasized that continued conservation remains essential to maintaining the community's water supply.

The water emergency has created significant challenges for residents and park operations, but the increased deliveries represent another step toward restoring normal water service at the South Rim.