Water Information

Council provides a bulk drinking water supply for rural customers (within the Bathurst Local Government Area but outside the city water supply network) and approved construction and works projects. This water supply is accessed through four dedicated bulk drinking water filling stations located in Hereford Street between the Macquarie River and Gilmour Street.

The water is sourced from the Bathurst water supply system and has been treated to meet the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. The water must be used in a conservative manner that is consistent with Bathurst’s current level of water restrictions.

Cost of Bulk Water

The cost of bulk water is currently $5.03 per kilolitre (1000L) and may be subject to change.

Accessing Bulk Water

Bulk Water Permit
To access the bulk drinking water, all customers must first obtain a Bulk Water Permit Application(PDF, 1MB) and email it to council@bathurst.nsw.gov.au or present it in person at the Engineering Counter (Top floor, Civic Centre, 158 Russell Street).

Council will aim to process registration forms immediately upon receipt but may require up to two working days before registration is confirmed. Customers are therefore encouraged to complete the registration process well in advance of needing access to water.

Once these steps are completed, customers are able to access the water stations at any time. The Bulk Water Filling Station User Instructions(PDF, 1MB)

Water Carters

As per the Public Health Act 2010 and Public Health Regulation 2012, bulk water carters who supply water to third parties must develop and adhere to a Quality Assurance Program (QAP). The QAP aims to ensure safe drinking water is provided to end users and must be submitted to NSW Health. Water carters must keep detailed records, undertake regular inspections, use appropriate equipment, and ensure tanks are clean and disinfected. See NSW Health Guidelines for Water Carters for details.

Documents and Links

Bulk Water Filling Station User Instructions(PDF, 1MB)
Bulk Water Permit Application(PDF, 1MB) 
Water Restrictions
NSW Health Guidelines for Water Carters

Water meters are an important part of Council’s water supply infrastructure. There are over 12,500 water meters in the Council’s water meter fleet Meters accurately record the water consumed by each property. This enables billing by Council for the water consumed and permits Council to account for all the water supplied to the community.

Reading Water Meters

Water meters measure the amount of water you use at your property. This measurement allows Council to accurately charge customers for the water they’ve used. It also helps customers to monitor their water use. The meter records usage in kilolitres. Meters are read manually or electronically four times a year, generally in the months of June, September, March and December.

Black numbers tell you how many kilolitres you have used, Red numbers tell you how many litres you have used.

Bathurst Regional Council requires access to its meters for meter reading and routine maintenance. Meters should not be made inaccessible behind a fence or wall, or covered by trees or shrubs. Dogs and other pets should be suitably restrained.

Council staff will always make sure the water meter and surrounding area is returned to the way it was upon arrival. Meter readers carry tools to enable them to access and read the meters without disturbing residents’ property.

Residents are encouraged to monitor usage as this will assist households to monitor and potentially reduce water consumption, in turn possibly reducing the cost of quarterly water bills.

Smart Meters

A smart meter is a device that automatically records water use and can report that usage data electronically at regular intervals. This provides instant access for Council staff to data that can highlight any issues or trends to better manage the water network. For more information about smart meters, please follow this link SMART CITY.

Leaking meters and Pipes

1. Know Your Dials

Make sure that you know what the dials on the water meter measure. See reading water meters.

2. Turn off all taps

Ensure that all taps within the house and garden (not including the stop-tap)  are turned off, and that all water appliances, including toilets, dishwashers and washing machines, are NOT being used.

3. Is the wheel moving?

Examine the meter for a few minutes and note any movement

4. Take two readings

To determine the extent of a leak, take a start reading, wait 10 minutes, then take a final reading. Don’t forget to read all of the dials.

5. What’s the difference?

Subtract the start reading from the final reading. Be sure to write your answer in litres and not kilolitres. Multiply by six to determine the amount of litres lost per hour.

6. Fix the Leak

If a leak is detected, arrange for a plumber to locate and repair the leak.

Council has installed two new drinking water refill stations at the following locations:

• The Bathurst Regional Art Gallery / Bathurst Library forecourt on Keppel Street
• Kelso Community Hub at 24 Bonnor Street, Kelso

Visitors and residents can have a drink directly from the water station or fill water bottles with accessible, quality drinking water. 

Residents receive a Water Consumption Advice that accompanies each rate notice. A summary of amount payable is contained on the rates notice itself with more details contained on the Consumption Advice. Your water access charge will appear directly on the July rates notice.

What do these terms mean?

Assessment Number - This is your property identification number, please quote this number or the address of the property if you need to discuss your account with Bathurst Regional Council. 

Property Address - This is the address that the account relates to.   

Meter Number - This is the number of the meter at your property, the meter number is unique and can be cross-referenced to your property address.

Previous Date - This is the date the meter was read last, prior to the current reading.

Previous Reading - This is the quantity of water in kilolitres that has been consumed since the meter was installed at the property. The figure reflects the amount used since the previous meter reading.

Current Date - This is the most recent date the meter was read last.

Current Reading - This is the quantity of water in kilolitres that been consumed since the meter was installed at the property. The figure reflects the amount used as of the current meter reading.

Days - This is the amount of days of water usage included in the billing quarter, it also reflects the number of days between meter reads.

Consumption - This is the total amount of water consumed during the period in kilolitres (a kilolitre is one thousand litres).

Rate - The rate reflects the cost per kilolitre of water consumed, there is a price step after the first 250 kilolitres of water has been consumed. The rate for 2023/2024 is $2.85 for the first per kilolitre for the first 250 kilolitres and then $4.28 for every kilolitre above that step. 

Tariff - This is the type of water that the property is metered for, most residential homes will be metered for residential filtered water.

Average Daily Consumption - This is the amount of water used on average by the household for each day of the billing period.

Council recognises that some ratepayers may experience financial difficulties in meeting their rate and or water account commitments on time.

A ratepayer may at any time make arrangements to pay off their outstanding debt by regular payments, subject to the following guidelines;

The amount and frequency of the payments under the agreement are to be acceptable to Council:

1. Agreements should, where possible, seek to have the outstanding rates and annual charges cleared by the end of the financial year.
   
   
2. Arrangements, where possible are to be paid through direct debit which are available on a weekly, fortnightly and monthly basis.
   
   
3. Current rate and charges accounts and water accounts are to be paid when they fall due in addition to the arrangement plan where possible.

For more information contact Council on (02) 6333 6111.

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

Please see Water Service Application Form(PDF, 160KB)  and complete the appropriate details.