THE city's top engineer has indicated there will be no further easing of water restrictions any time soon, despite Chifley Dam remaining full since mid September.
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At Bathurst Regional Council's November ordinary meeting, councillor Monica Morse said some in the community wanted restrictions to be eased further.
Level three (high) water restrictions are currently in effect, which allow residents to water their lawns and gardens again under the odds and evens system.
"They want to know if this is going to change, because some people don't have sprinkler systems in the lawn, they have to spend an hour a day with the hose watering around," Cr Morse said.
"I had a lady call me ... who is becoming concerned that is now becoming not enough water for her garden. She said the lawn's gone, but an hour a day every other day, she thinks is not enough."
Council's director of Engineering Services, Darren Sturgiss, effectively ruled out the possibility of a further easing of water restrictions, expressing his concerns for the months ahead.
"Following the previous resolution of the council, the short answer is no, unless there is a further resolution of council," he said.
"The explanation behind that, for clarity, is given that neither our stormwater harvesting nor Winburdale pipeline augmentation has been completed, let alone approved, there is concern over overall consumption of water as a community should there be a repeat of the dry winter next year.
"And historical data would indicate, without restrictions on Bathurst and irrigation intake at 100 per cent, the dam level can and has dropped over 50 per cent in one year.
"The irrigation allowance has been increased to 100 per cent and there is also the ability for irrigators to use a carryover allowance, which also allows for additional water to be used.
"My concern is that if we release restrictions completely then we could be, should there be a dry winter, at a low level in the dam back to where we started from 12 months ago."
Mayor Bobby Bourke agrees with the director.
"I have full confidence in our engineering department and what decisions they make," he said.
"I think it's just too early, at the start of summer, to say we're going to reduce restrictions yet. It's just too early. Our town water supply rainfall is above average, but if we don't get it out there for three years in the catchment - we don't want to be chasing water, we want to have water there."
He said residents have to work together and abide by the current restrictions.
