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Telephone (02) 6333-6111

After Hours (02) 6334-2795

Civic Centre Hours 8:30am - 4:45pm (Monday to Friday, except Public Holidays)

 

Telephone (02) 6333 6111
After Hours (02) 6334 2795
Civic Centre Hours 8:30am - 4:45pm (Monday to Friday, except Public Holidays)
Email Us

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Alternative Water Supplies

High water restrictions for home gardens apply from Friday, 28 August 2020

Bathurst Regional Council has implemented a range of drought management actions in accordance with its Drought Management Plan, water restrictions are part of this plan and relate solely to Bathurst water supply.

Alternative water supplies do exist, including bores, wells, independent rain water tanks (not filled/topped up from Bathurst water supply) and water sourced from supplies outside the region. 

If an alternative water supply is being utilised, appropriate signage must be in place at the front of the property to alert compliance officers.

In rare circumstances raw water may also be available - please contact Council's Water Section for further information. 

Email water restrictions  

Hotline: (02) 6333 1683

Bathurst Bulk Filtered Drinking Water Filling Stations

Council provides a bulk filtered water supply via filling stations at Hereford Street. These filling stations provide filtered water from Bathurst’s town water supply, and therefore ARE NOT an alternative water source to the Bathurst water supply. Water from these filling stations must be used in accordance with current water restrictions. Anyone wishing to access bulk filtered water from these filling stations must obtain a Permit to Access Bulk Water. 

 

 

 

Resources and Forms

HIgh Level Water Restrictions Resources

Overview of High Water restrictions (Document) 

Lawn High Water restrictions (Document)

Videos

For links to a series of resources available to assist gardeners with Water Smart Gardening please see below;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_J2EFvPaXA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGG-qgUX0uw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItkQsd4PqoM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItkQsd4PqoM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM-k92p8yV8

Exemption and Permit Forms

Residential Exemption Form - High Water Restrictions (Form)

Business (and community service) Exemption Form - High Water Restrictions (Form)

Permit to access bulk water - High Water Restrictions (Form)

Factsheets

Greywater Use Factsheet (Document)

Lawn Care Factsheet (Document)

Home Garden Factsheet (Document)

Home Garden Plants Factsheet (Document)

Business Checklist and Plans

Business - Water Saving Checklist - HIgh Water Restrictions(Form)

Business - Water Efficiency Plan - High Water Restrictions (Form)

Council's Drought Management Plan 2014 (Document)

Council's Report on Recreation Parks & Gardens Water Restrictions Actions (Document)

List of Council's Recreation Parks & Gardens and Water Restriction Actions (Document)

Web links to support resources

Business Information Session Presentation

Smart Water Advice in the Home

Smart Water Advice in the Garden

Department of Primary Industries - Drought Hub webpages

Water NSW - Drought Information

 

Exemptions

HIgh water restrictions apply from Friday, 28 August 2020

Businesses and community services/organisations unable to comply with High water restrictions can apply for an exemption and may continue to operate as per normal (using water conservatively) while waiting for their exemption application to be processed.

All successful requests will receive correspondence stating that an exemption has been granted and detailing any conditions which may apply. Unsuccessful requests will also receive correspondence.

*Note: Any resident seeking an exemption must adhere to High water restrictions while their exemption application is being processed. 
Exemption forms for businesses and community services in High water restrictions can be found on the Resources and Forms page in this section.

Compliance

High water restrictions apply from Friday, 28 August 2020

  • Water restrictions have been enforced since Monday 14th October 2019 and a range of penalties (as outlined below) can apply for non-compliance.

During times of water restrictions, at Level 3, 4, 5 or 6 Council may adopt various enforcement options (as contained within the Bathurst Regional Council Enforcement policy) including but not limited to the following;

(1) Verbal Warning

A verbal warning may be issued by an authorized Council officer to a person for a minor breach incident arising from genuine ignorance of the water restrictions. The authorized officer will provide information to the resident and later record the incident as a verbal warning for the premises. 

(2) Warning Letter

In cases where a minor but deliberate breach of restrictions has occurred Council may issue a formal warning letter to the resident responsible. A second warning letter may be issued subject to circumstances. 

(3) Penalty Notice

Where a warning has been previously given or in cases of more significant and deliberate breaches of water restrictions, a penalty notice may be issued.  The maximum penalty is $2,200.00.

(4) Court Attendance Notice

In serious breaches of water restrictions or in the case of repeated deliberate offending, Council may initiate legal action against the person responsible through issuing a Court Attendance Notice.

(5) Install an electronic meter on a property

Installing an electronic water meter on a property allows for more accurate monitoring of water use. The data gathered may be used as evidence to support further enforcement action.

(6) Install a flow restriction device on a property

A flow restriction device may be installed on the premises of minor recidivist offenders or where previous enforcement action has failed to achieve compliance with water restrictions.

(7) Disconnect Councils water supply to a property

In the most serious cases of breach of water restrictions or where other enforcement action has failed to achieve compliance with water restrictions, the General Manager may approve the disconnection of supply of water from Council. 

Additionally, all fees for the installation and later removal of any meter and/or flow restrictions devices as well as the disconnection and reconnection of a water supply service, shall be met by the owner of the property. 

Water Restrictions Other

High water restrictions apply from Friday, 28 August 2020

Garden features, bird baths and temporary children's pools: top up and filling IS permitted.

NB: Bird baths, frog ponds and other water containers are permitted to supply water for domestic and native animals.

Washing hard surfaces: Washing of outdoor hard surfaces such as driveways and footpaths is NOT permitted EXCEPT for health and safety purposes (washing only allowed in immediately affected area and with use of a high pressure/low volume water device).

Indoor activities: WaterWise actions required - ie. only use washing machine and/or dishwasher when full, turn taps off when brushing teeth, check for dripping taps and fix leaks.  Council does not actively enforce indoor water use restrictions, however residents are asked to be conservative with indoor water consumption.

Council reminds customers that maintaining health, safety and hygiene is a priority – conservative water use for these purposes is permitted regardless of water restriction level.

Please see Resources & Forms section for forms, plans and other documents.

Water Restrictions Pools

High water restrictions apply from Friday, 28 August 2020 

  • Topping up of pools IS permitted before 10.00am or after 4.00pm for a maximum filling time of 15 minutes per day
  • A pool cover MUST be used in accordance with manufacturer's or supplier's instructions
  • Council permission is required before first fill of new pool or the first refill of a renovated or repaired pool, please email

If pool owners have an independent alternative water supply to Bathurst water supply, a permit is not required.
*Note: a tank that is connected to Bathurst water supply network is not an independent alternative water supply.