The Bathurst Regional Council area at present has no water restrictions. Council is committed to conserving water and has advice on how to reduce water consumption.

Inquiry into secure and sustainable urban water supply and sewerage services for non-metropolitan NSW.

The State's 104 non-metropolitan local water utilities are facing growing challenges posed by drought, climate change, environmental water allocations, demographic shifts, technological advances and skills shortages.  Please visit the Inquiry into secure and sustainable urban water supply and sewerage services for non-metropolitan NSW report.

Water: A Plain English Guide

We all know that water is essential for our lives. Sometimes we don't always take time to think about how the quality of water affects not only our own health, but that of our environment as well. Water has a powerful impact on the balance of the environment. Too much, too little or ‘not the right sort' can have a devastating effect.

NSW Health has provided some information in regards to Private Water Supply guidelines. 

Applicants need to complete and submit Council's Application for Water Service Connection and fees.

IDEA With Biological Phosphorus Removal ("BIO-P")

Testing the liquid discharge from the existing aeration tanks has shown that, under the right conditions, bacteria which can take up large amounts of phosphorus can be encouraged to grow in the treatment tank.

Surveys for the first sewerage system began in 1910, and the treatment plant was completed in 1915. The original treatment plant consisted of huge underground septic tanks. Liquid overflow (effluent) passed through rubble filters and into the Macquarie River.  

The Need for a Sewerage System

In the early years of settlement the people of Bathurst installed cesspits at individual dwellings to collect and store human wastes. The first organised disposal system consisted of the cesspits being emptied at night, and the waste being carted to a disposal area where it was buried.  

Winburndale Dam is located on the Winburndale Rivulet, some 21 kilometres east of Bathurst. Water from the dam is used primarily for park watering and industrial purposes. Water supplied to Bathurst is provided by an old wood stave pipeline between the dam and the city.

Council strives to supply clean safe drinking water at all times, though occasionally cases of dirty water occur.

Blue Green Algae is a naturally occurring organism regularly found in Council's main water storage Ben Chifley Dam, it is usually visible in the form of floating green particles in the water. 

Chifley Dam was originally completed in 1956, and built in accordance with the standards and knowledge at that time.  Since then, more data has been available, particularly regarding rainfall.

During the 1990's, a check was made and it was found that the existing dam did not comply with the revised dam safety standards set by the NSW Dam Safety Committee. Modifications to the dam were required to provide the capacity for safe discharge for up to the probable maximum flood (PMF) event. 

The major water storage for Bathurst is Chifley Dam located on the Campbell's River some 17 kilometres upstream of Bathurst.

Council's aim is to supply a clean, safe and secure water supply to the people of Bathurst in a way which meets their needs.

Raw water contains undesirable sediments, colour, algae (which can produce a taste and smell) and other harmful organisms. The Water Filtration Plant (WFP) is designed to remove this undesirable matter, and produce water fit and safe for drinking.   

History

In 1886, the NSW Public Works Department constructed a piped water supply system in Bathurst. It was the first country town water supply scheme in New South Wales.

Trade waste means all liquid waste produced from a business, commercial or industrial activity other than sewage of a domestic nature (i.e. liquid waste from toilet, hand wash basin, shower and bath wastes). 

Sustainable Schools NSW aims to assist school communities across NSW to:

teach important sustainability knowledge and concepts, learn about the environment and implement positive and fun actions into all aspects of the school.

NSW Health has provided some information in regards to Rainwater Tanks.