The future of Dubbo's water management is outlined in the Water Management and Trading Strategy, the Demand Management Plan and the Drought Management Plan which are currently on public exhibition.

Council water and sewerage client services co-ordinator Kathryn McAlister said having the documents on display increased public awareness of water management.

"Managing the water supply underpins the economic activity and the community wellbeing which is a critical obligation of council," Ms McAlister said.

"We want [the plans] on display so they create that awareness that water doesn't just come from the tap, it has to be actively managed by council."

While the plans all relate to water management they differ slightly in their aims.

Ms McAlister said the Demand Management Plan centred around monitoring demand, water demand forecasts and water conservation measures.

"The Drought Management Plan reviews our current drought management and the water supply management if drought were to come along."

She said the plan included the level of water restrictions that would be put in place and how areas such as sports fields, parks and gardens would be maintained.

Meanwhile, the principles surrounding water entitlements and trading are outlined in the Water Entitlement and Management and Trading Strategy.

Ms McAlister said residents had until Friday, February 27 to make submissions about the documents.

"They may want to make a comment on water restrictions- 'yes I would prefer water restrictions to high charges'," she said.

All three submissions are available at council's civic administration building and Macquarie Regional Library or online at www.dubbo.nsw.gov.au.

In Dubbo 70 to 80 per cent of water supply comes from the Macquarie River and the rest is from the seven bores in the South Dubbo borefield.

The 2012/13 annual residential water consumption in Dubbo was 365 kilolitres per property.