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Do Your Part - Be Water Smart

Council is committed to working with the Bathurst community to preserve our precious water resources. By being water wise, we can all help make our water supply more available for those times when it is really needed - like during droughts and hot summers.

Please scroll down the page for details on:

• The current situation regarding water restrictions
• Residential water restriction exemption process
• Non-residential water restriction exemption process
• Being Water Smart: Ideas and Resources

The Current Situation - Water Restrictions

From Monday 26 November 2018 Level 3 or High water restrictions are now in place. This is a necessary and precautionary measure to ensure that the drinking water supply for the Bathurst Region can be preserved for as long as possible, given the low levels of rainfall which have been received in the Bathurst Region in recent times. For more information about how water should be used under High Level restrictions please click on the High Level Water Restrictions Information sheet.

For more information about all levels of water restrictions please click on the Water Restrictions Overview document which sets out the permissable water use under different levels of water restrictions.

To view a copy of the odds and evens watering calendar please click here.

Inappropriate use of water during specified periods of water restrictions may result in penalties.

Water wise actions are required indoors, for more information about water wise actions please click here.

For details on Chifley Dam levels, please click here. 

For a list of approved residential and non-residential exemptions currently in place please click here.

Residential Water Restriction Exemptions

From 26 November 2018, Level 3 or High-level water restrictions will apply to all residential properties which are connected to the drinking water supply across the Bathurst Region. The full details of permitted water use are available here however a summary of the restrictions are included below:

# Odd numbered properties are permitted to water on odd numbered calendar dates. Even numbered properties are permitted to water on even numbered calendar dates. No watering on the 31st of any month. Watering must be done in accordance with the restriction times.

There may be unusual or extenuating circumstances whereby residents are unable to comply with the water restrictions listed above. In this case a resident may make an application for an exemption in line with the exemption policy contained within the Bathurst Regional Council Drought Management Plan 2014. Any exemption will only valid for the specific water restriction level currently in place. An exemption may be granted if:

• The activities require water for health and hygiene
• The activities require water for safety
• There are extenuating circumstances

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. The process for managing exemption requests from businesses and organisations will be managed separately, please see the section on this page titled Non-Residential Water Restriction Exemptions.

Bathurst Regional Council may revoke the exemption and/or issue a penalty notice if:

• The information provided in the application is found to be false
• Water is being used for purposes other than those stated in the application
• Activity is found to be non-compliant with the exemption conditions

To make an application for an exemption from Level 3 water restrictions please click here for the electronic Form and here for the PDF that must be completed and returned to Council. Should the water restriction level be changed to Extreme or Critical, then all approved exemptions are to be considered revoked from the day the change takes effect. For more information regarding water restrictions and the process of obtaining an exemption please phone Council on (02) 6333 6100.

Non-Residential Water Restriction Exemptions

From 26 November 2018, Level 3 or High-level water restrictions will apply to all properties which are connected to the drinking water supply across the Bathurst Region.

Non-residential water consumers have an important role to play in conserving Bathurst’s water and reducing the likelihood that greater restrictions will be introduced.  However, there may be unusual or extenuating circumstances whereby businesses, organisations and institutions are unable to comply with the high water restrictions as identified on this page.

The flowchart located here demonstrates the process by which an organisation may assess whether they can comply with water restrictions and if not follow the process identified to request an exemption and/or complete a Water Efficiency Plan (WEP).

To complete a non-residential water restriction exemption application please click here for the electronic Form and here for a PDF version.

To complete a non-residential water efficiency plan (WEP) please click here for the electronic Form and here for a PDF version and submit to Council via email

For more information regarding non-residential water consumption and the process around gaining an exemption please phone Council on 6333 6100.

Water Efficiency Plan for Residents and Small Businesses

Residents who may wish to audit their water consumption at home and businesses with no more than 2 FTE staff can complete the residential water efficiency plan (WEP) please click here for the electronic form and here for the PDF. This may assist with identified any water saving oportunties. Small businesses who complete the residential water efficiency plan will need to return this to Council by email to

Being Water Smart: Ideas and Resources

Bathurst Regional Council is partnering with Smart Approved WaterMark to provide residents of the Bathurst region with water wise information resources and tools. 

Click on the images and factsheets below for all sorts of information and ideas to help you save water. Or click here to take a virtual tour around the Blue House to see water saving tips in areas where the average home uses the most water.

 Water Smart Resources Available for Download