Changes to garden watering to commence 24 February

MEDIA RELEASE 12 February 2020

Bathurst remains on Extreme water restrictions, however, there will be a change to the way gardens are watered later this month.

From Monday, 24 February, residents will no longer be permitted to use a hose, microspray system or other water efficient irrigation systems. Instead, gardens can only be watered using buckets or watering cans. Water times will also be simplified, with watering allowed before 10am or after 4pm, on Wednesdays and Sundays only for 30 minutes of filling time. The 30 minutes will apply for the time it takes to fill buckets and watering cans.

Greywater which can be collected from showers, sinks and laundries can still be applied before 10am and after 4pm on any day.

Mayor of Bathurst Bobby Bourke said the change has been triggered as a result of Chifley Dam reaching 29 per cent. The changes in watering times will also ensure that residents can continue to water during daylight hours when daylight savings ends.

“Water restrictions are an important and necessary measure designed to reduce water consumption and give Council time to complete important water infrastructure projects to augment Council’s water supply. I would like to thank our community for your overwhelming support of water restrictions. Residents, businesses and community groups have been very responsive in adopting water conservation measures and complying with the water restrictions,” he said.

For more information please visit www.bathurst.nsw.gov.au/waterrestrictions or call the water restrictions hotline on 6333 1683.

Media contact: Media Officer