PRIMARY producers can continue to have access to free water, but the offer could soon run out.
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Bathurst Regional Council approved an extension to the free water for verified produces scheme at last week's meeting.
Farmers will be able to get water for free until November 22, but if Chifley Dam reaches 40 per cent prior to that date, the offer will be rescinded.
Council planned to set the condition that the scheme would stop once level four-five water restrictions are introduced, which will be on October 14, but farmers were given more time.
Councillor Jess Jennings said that people taking up the offer sorely needed the water and it was important they had as many opportunities as possible to access it.
"I think this has been a good news story for council and those who have accessed it," he said.
"It has not been heavily used, I confess that, but at the same time those people who are using it I dare say really, really need it.
"From council's management perspective, in terms of the finances, the implication is not significant if we were to extend this so it did not simply coincide with October 14."
The current foregone income from council is $1725, which was deemed "minimal" by the director of Corporate Services and Finance.
Deputy mayor Bobby Bourke wanted to remind other residents that the free water was to help farmers get out of trouble.
It is only available to those who live on the 1450 properties rated as farmland, but only 17 people have registered for the scheme.
Primary producers who would like to take advantage of council's free water offer need to register on council's website or in person at the civic centre.
The free water allocation will be limited to 20kl of water per week, per rate notice, to be reviewed regularly and adjusted if necessary based on the dam levels.
The water must be used for stock and domestic purposes only, and not be on sold to a third party.
