As water users, we have proven ourselves to be very stingy indeed.

With water restrictions currently at Level 2, we're each entitled to use 240 litres of water a day.

But we're not.

We're not even close.

Having successfully navigated Level 5 water restrictions - where even looking at your hose and your car in the same pan was cause for community concern - it appears the city has adapted and learnt to live with less.

Level 5 restrictions were in place from October 6, 2019 to August 19, 2020, and in that time the city never once went above the recommended 160 litres per person per day.

Instead, the city hovered around the 120-140 litres per person a day mark.

Data supplied by Orange City Council shows that we're sitting on about 130-140 litres a day per person, months after Level 5 restrictions were lifted.

Level 4 restrictions lasted only five days (August 19-24, 2020) before being cut to Level 3.

And a month later, on September 25, the restrictions were lifted to Level 2, meaning 240 litres a day per person.

But still people are staying cool with their water, under-using the maximum by about 700 litres a week, or 36,000 litres a year.

"The people of Orange really understand what potable water is all about, and the best drinking water in the world isn't to hose your driveway or wash your house with," said mayor Reg Kidd.

"There are more effective and efficient ways of using that water and still having a good lifestyle and gardens and a beautiful city."

Cr Kidd attended a water management conference last week and said Orange received special mention from a state government minister for the way it had achieved success.

"When people understand how much they're using it becomes a bit of a talking point at the football or in the pub," he said.

"If you asked someone from Sydney how much potable water they use each day they'd have no idea."

At Pete's Car Wash on Peisley Street they use a mix of town water and recycled water.

"It's mainly recycled," said Dane Griffiths from the car wash.

"We don't publicly advertise the fact, it's just something we to do to minimise water usage in Orange and do our bit for the environment."