A report to go before Wednesday night’s monthly meeting recommends against water restrictions being introduced immediately.

But not because there is any confidence that the current dry conditions are going to turn around any time soon; rather, the report concedes that Level 1 restrictions would do nothing at all.

“At the current time, water restrictions are not recommended since implementation of Level 1 restrictions would have little effect,” the report concludes.

“However, water wise messaging will continue for the current eight-week campaign.

“During this time, monitoring and reporting of the situation will occur, and a further council report will be prepared for spring 2018.”

The explanation is that so little water is currently being used on gardens that applying restrictions would have just a minimal impact, but Level 1 restrictions at any time would amount to not much.

As it stands, Level 1 restrictions basically entail an education program urging people not to waste water.

Residents would be asked to refrain from watering their garden during the hottest part of the day and to cease hosing down driveways to keep them clean.

Plenty around town – this newspaper included – have been arguing for years that such restrictions are manifestly inadequate.

Level 1 restrictions simply ask, rather than compel, residents to exercise sensible water behaviour.

Also ridiculous is the standing rule that Ben Chifley Dam must fall to 40 per cent capacity before we ask people to respect this valuable resource.

That 40 per cent figure is in arbitrary number that simply means more damage is done before any action is taken.

That’s not to say there will be no joy out of Wednesday’s meeting, however.

The report to councillors suggests they consider following the lead of Sydney Water Corporation and introducing Water Wise Rules as opposed to water restrictions.

Basically, the rules read exactly the same as water restrictions but do not require council to police them or issue breach notices to anyone doing the wrong thing.

It’s the sort of neat bureaucracy that would make Sir Humphrey Appleby proud.