Workers began conducting extensive water system flushing from 7.30am to rid pipes of naturally formed manganese. And they were prepared to stay until dark to answer any reports from residents of discoloured water.

Council flushes the system every summer as the weather heats up, when discoloured water becomes the biggest problem.

Water and waste manager Russell Deans said yesterday was the best time for the work.

“It was a good opportunity to do it before Christmas when many people at council are on holiday,” he said.

Mr Deans said the process was simple for workers.

“It’s flushing the water mains, which is just what you’re doing at home when you run the tap for a minute or two to cool water down,” he said.

The work is part of council’s commitment to improve water quality in Bathurst through its Manganese Removal Program that started in mid-2014.

Mr Deans said yesterday the work was “progressing really well” at the Water Filtration Plant and around town.

“They’re probably about 50 per cent of the way through the process,” he said.

He expects work to be completed by April 2015.

But while council was happy with the progress it had made, some residents held a different opinion.

Raglan resident Annette Fulthorpe said there hadn’t been enough notice about the water system flushing and, as a result, her washing had been stained.

“It hasn’t done much for me because it’s wrecked my daughter’s sheets,” she said. 

“We pay our rates and this is what we get.”

Ms Fulthorpe said residents should be given at least a week’s notice of impending water system flushing and suggested delivering fliers to houses instead of only putting information online and in newspapers. 

Anyone with problems regarding discoloured water is asked to report it to council by phoning 6333 6100 or to call the emergency number 6334 2795 if they notice a problem after hours.