From Monday, residents will be asked to conform to extreme Level 4-5 water restrictions after nearly one year on Level 3.

The tighter restrictions are part of Bathurst Regional Council's effort to extend the life of the city's water supply after an prolonged period of below-average rainfall.

As of October 8, Chifley Dam was at 46.4 per cent capacity, but rain in Bathurst on Friday may boost that figure this week.

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Mayor Bobby Bourke said it was important for all community members to do their bit to save water.

"It is a community effort. We can't just [save water] as a council, going around slapping fines on people; we need people to work with us a bit more," he said.

For those people who want to break the rules, by perhaps taking a half-hour shower or watering the grass, they're urged to think about the consequences of those actions on the city.

"When you're having that shower, just think that come another 12 months you may not be able to have that shower," Cr Bourke said.

"We need to remember that things can get worse."

Under Level 4-5 restrictions, residents are no longer allowed to water lawns.

Gardens can be watered, but only on Wednesdays and Sundays between 6pm and 9pm for 30 minutes.

Watering is only permitted with either a hand held hose with a trigger nozzle, one soaker hose, one microspray system or one other under-mulch irrigation system.

Sprinklers are not permitted.

Should Chifley Dam drop to 29 per cent, watering will only be permitted on Wednesdays and Sundays using a watering can or bucket.

Under the new water restrictions, there is to be no topping up of pools without a council permit and people cannot wash their vehicles at home.

Indoors, people should be taking four-minute showers or one bath per person per day, keeping the depth to no more than 150 millimetres.

Council also encourages other waterwise action, like turning the tap off while brushing teeth and only operating washing machines and dishwashers with full loads.

Council is also looking at a number of long and short-term projects to bolster the region's water supply, including the possible Winburndale Dam pipeline duplication, stormwater harvesting options, using bore water or groundwater, and technical investigations for treatment of Winburndale Dam water for use in the town water supply.

For more information about Bathurst's water restrictions, visit council's website.