AS Orange approaches level four water restrictions as early as this Saturday, councillors will push to allow residents to continue using hoses.
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Councillors Mario Previtera and Sam Romano will move on Tuesday night to amend levels four and five restrictions to permit the use of handheld hoses for up to half an hour during allowed watering times.
It followed a similar motion in December when councillor Glenn Taylor moved for hoses to be allowed under level three restrictions and Cr Previtera said his reasons still applied.
"It's so much easier to use a handheld hose instead of a bucket because it goes where you want it," he said.
Water storage on Friday was just 0.5 per cent away from the trigger point of 40 per cent and despite weekend rain, the threshold is due to be passed by the end of the week.
Watering hours would change to Wednesdays and Sundays between 6pm and 8pm under level four, removing the morning watering period and ending the odds and evens system.
Watering lawns will no longer be allowed and five-minute limits on showers will be introduced.
The water storage is what it is and we have to be diligent.
- Deputy mayor Sam Romano
Daily water usage would fall from 220 litres per person per day to 200 litres - last week, usage was at 182 litres.
Cr Romano said the change would be tough.
"People aren't going to be happy and I don't blame them, but we can't do anything about it - the water storage is what it is and we have to be diligent and hope we get rain soon," he said.
Staff have already indicated the use of hoses would be supported.
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