Residential
High water restrictions continue with some updates to permissions and exemptions, from October 2021.
On this page you will find information on water restrictions for all households and residents using Bathurst water supply, along with advice and information on how you can help our water supply last longer.
Click on the links below to see details of water restrictions.
High water restrictions continue to apply from October 2021.
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.
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 - see Resources & Forms section for form.
High water restrictions continue to apply from October 2021.
UPDATED PERMISSIONS BELOW:
Containers suppying water for domestic and native animals, garden features, bird baths, frog ponds and temporary children's pools: top up and filling IS permitted.
Washing hard surfaces: The washing of hard surfaces such as windows, verandahs, outdoor patio areas, footpaths and driveways IS PERMITTED for one-off occassions, and in such instances these activities are EXEMPT from water restrictions if a high pressure/low volume hose is used.
Indoor activities: Water conservation actions are recommended but not required. Suggestions include: 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.
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.
High water restrictions continue to apply from October 2021.
UPDATE: Filling pools IS permitted. For first fill of new pool, pool owner must notify Council of the intention to fill new pool, via email to water restrictions, noting the address and proposed date of first fill.
No exemption is required for top up of pool.
Council recommends pool covers be used when pool is not in use, in accordance with manufacturer's or supplier's instructions.
High water restrictions continue to apply from October 2021.
Watering gardens & lawns IS permitted as follows:
- On ODDS and EVENS * system
- Before 10.00am or after 4.00pm
- For a maximum of 60mins total including gardens and lawns on permitted days
- Using hoses with trigger nozzles, soaker hoses, buckets, watering cans, irrigation systems, microsprays or any kind of water efficient device
- A Council permit is required for new turf if restrictions cannot be adhered to (see Resources and Forms)
ODDS and EVENS system
Odd numbered properties are permitted to water on odd numbered calendar dates, even numbered properties are permitted to water on even numbered dates.
Properties with a range of street numbers should be treated as odd or even as per the first number in the range (e.g 15 - 18 Main Street be an odd property.
If a property has no street number it should be treated as an even property
The 31st of the month is a watering-free day - no properties are permitted to water.
For information how to best care for your garden and lawn, see our fact sheets in the Resources and Forms section.
High water restrictions continue to apply from October 2021.
Watering gardens & lawns IS permitted as follows:
- On ODDS and EVENS * system
- Before 10.00am or after 4.00pm
- For a maximum of 60mins total including gardens and lawns on permitted days
- Using hoses with trigger nozzles, soaker hoses, buckets, watering cans, irrigation systems, microsprays or any kind of water efficient device
- A Council permit is required for new turf if restrictions cannot be adhered to (see Resources and Forms)
ODDS and EVENS system
Odd numbered properties are permitted to water on odd numbered calendar dates, even numbered properties are permitted to water on even numbered dates.
Properties with a range of street numbers should be treated as odd or even as per the first number in the range (e.g 15 - 18 Main Street be an odd property.
If a property has no street number it should be treated as an even property
The 31st of the month is a watering-free day - no properties are permitted to water.
For information how to best care for your garden and lawn, see our fact sheets in the Resources and Forms section.
High water restrictions continue to apply from October 2021.
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
High water restrictions continue to apply from October 2021.
Some updated permissions, exemptions and recommendations for use apply.
Residents, 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, noting that there may be some delays over the December-January holiday period.
All successful requests will receive correspondence stating that an exemption has been granted and detailing any conditions which may apply.
High water restrictions continue to apply from October 2021.
Chifley Dam is the main source of water supply for the Bathurst community.
On our Chifley Dam Details page we update dam level information each Tuesday, including current dam level, blue-green algae alerts, inflow and consumption readings and more.
