WHILE level six water restrictions are still a way off, it remains unclear what effect they would have on the business sector.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
At public water forums last week, Orange City Council mentioned level six restrictions for the first time and when Orange might face them.
Projections have modelled 5A restrictions coming into force either at the end of this year or early next year when storage reaches 25 per cent, with level six in April next year as a worst-case scenario if no rain were to fall.
However, the council also signalled level six could be avoided if the Cowra pipeline were completed or the Macquarie pipeline trigger point lowered.
Businesses can be assured the council will continue to work with them to further reduce their water use, rather than do that abruptly.
- Mayor Reg Kidd
Mayor Reg Kidd said for residents, level six restrictions would mean no garden watering, unless they had access to grey water, bore water or tank water.
"Moving back from watering gardens for an hour a week to half an hour a week under Level 5A to no watering at all from the town system would be an a major milestone if we got there," he said.
"That's why we're working hard to prevent that stage happening."
However, the impact on the business sector is less clear - staff indicated last week level six restrictions meant industrial operations would "start to really suffer".
Cr Kidd said the restrictions were under review to ensure the best result could be achieved, given they had never been imposed on the business sector before.
During the last drought, level 5A was created to avoid going to level six.
"We want to provide accurate information, so those details will be publicised once the review is complete," he said.
"Council is already working with key business water users to work on how they can save water.
"While there are growing signs we can avoid going to level six, if we have to, businesses can be assured the council will continue to work with them to further reduce their water use, rather than do that abruptly."
Total water storage is down to 27.8 per cent, however latest figures showed Orange residents were using just 130 litres per person per day, a result Cr Kidd applauded.
"That level of water use makes our supplies last even longer," he said.
Cr Kidd emphasised the importance of temporarily lowering the Macquarie pipeline pumping trigger point to 38 megalitres a day through the river, rather than 108.
He said the council had been working with the state government on the proposal.
"We're keen to get a decision from the government in the coming weeks," he said.
"Our very conservative modelling suggests even if this drought continues, there will be enough water in the river to maintain the ecological health of the river and let us get enough water to prevent us going into level six water restrictions."
DO YOU WANT MORE ORANGE NEWS?
Receive our free newsletters delivered to your inbox, as well as breaking news alerts. Sign up below ...