BATHURST Regional Council has not set a Chifley Dam figure that, when reached, would lead to an easing of the city's extreme water restrictions.
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Water and waste manager Russell Deans says council wants to avoid restrictions changing frequently, so will take into account a number of factors before it allows for any easing.
And he has made it clear restrictions are still being enforced.
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Bathurst entered extreme water restrictions in October last year, which included a ban on watering lawns, and restrictions were tightened further in late February, when hoses were banned.
Chifley Dam was around 46 per cent capacity in October last year and was below 30 per cent in February.
It has since rebounded to just over 39 per cent.
"Council will need to consider forecast rainfall, expected water usage and the time of the year to determine if or when restrictions could be eased back from extreme to high," Mr Deans said.
"It would be challenging for residents, businesses and council alike if restriction levels change frequently, therefore council would not make a decision to ease restrictions unless it was confident that a further change would not be required in the short term."
Residents continue to be "incredibly responsive" to the water restrictions, Mr Deans said.
"In October 2019 their average was 190 litres per person, per day, and as of this week, the average consumption is 130 litres per person, per day," he said.
"While there are some seasonal conditions influencing that figure, it does show that the residents of Bathurst have been very responsive and are doing their bit."
In December 2019 and January this year, under extreme restrictions, the average use was 11.7 megalitres a day compared with 22.9 megalitres a day in December 2017 and January 2018 when there were no restrictions, he said.
With the dam rising, Mr Deans said council would continue to reinforce the message that water restrictions remain in place.
"Council has continued its commitment to compliance and will enforce restrictions, where necessary, into the future - noting that these measures have only been infrequently required up until now," he said.
"Water inspections are still occurring to investigate concerns regarding breaches of water restrictions."
Mr Deans said recent rainfall had been beneficial "in ensuring that future rainfall can run off into the dam rather than being absorbed into the soil".