MADISON, Wis. -- It's now safe to drink the water is the message from Madison city officials on Monday as they lifted a three-month-old public health advisory for some residents not to use what came from their tap.

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At a press conference on Monday, the head of the Madison Water Utility said that the city's harmful manganese levels are officially flushed out from the water system.

The controversy about Madison's water supply began in May when city officials issued an advisory to some residents about the health effects stemming from high levels of manganese found in the water in some parts of the city. The advisory dealt with those serviced by two wells and recommended that infants on ready-to-mix formula and those with liver problems not drink tap water.

Officials lifted the advisory on Monday after receiving the test results that were now safe..

The results came from tests conducted at about 647 homes in areas serviced by wells 3 and 10. They showed that manganese levels are now within acceptable limits. Well 3 is the eastern end of the isthmus and Well 10 is in the Nakoma area.

Officials said that since the end of May, just five homes came back with results above recommended levels. They said that when re-tested later, they came back within acceptable levels, WISC-TV reported.

Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz said that the city will work to allay fears about the city's water supply.

"I know there have been some questions raised, some legitimate questions about the utility and we're working hard to, to regain public confidence in the utility," Cieslewicz said. "But, of course this announcement today is very good news for all of us who consume Madison drinking water."

City officials credit new flushing techniques with removing the sediment. David Denig-Chakroff, general manager for the utility, said that the flushing process isn't something new for them.

"The flushing is an ongoing process that we'll be doing every year, which we have always done on an annual basis, to maintain the cleanliness of the pipes," he said.

Officials said that ingestion of high levels of manganese, a naturally occurring metal, over a period of time can cause neurological problems. Manganese is an element found in many foods and it occurs naturally in most tap water, WISC-TV reported.

Officials said that occasional elevations of manganese in drinking water might still occur, but the harm by long-term exposure is now unlikely. Ongoing testing of well and tap water will determine if repeat flushing is needed, they said. A full report and the testing results will be published by the end of the year, WISC-TV reported.

Utility officials have said previously that other Wisconsin cities draw from the same aquifer as Madison does and could have levels at or higher than what's seen here but they just aren't currently testing for it, WISC-TV reported.

Stay tuned to WISC-TV and Channel 3000 for continuing coverage