"Extreme" level five water restrictions are not on the agenda for Dubbo unless it becomes totally dependent on groundwater.
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Dubbo Regional Council's director of infrastructure Julian Geddes has clarified its current position on water restrictions.
"The level of restrictions will be determined by a number of factors and the ability to sustainably draw on groundwater," he said.
"Moving to level five water restrictions is not likely unless total reliance on groundwater occurs."
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The director's advice follows NSW regional town water supply coordinator James McTavish's reference to "higher restrictions".
Mr McTavish told Australian Community Media that unlike Bathurst and Orange, Dubbo had a reliable source of groundwater from the Upper Macquarie Alluvial Aquifer and bore field work would sustain demand.
But he said higher restrictions would be required to prevent the aquifer from being overly-depleted.
Mr McTavish also warned against the view that Burrendong Dam would always have water.
"The reality is it won't always be there and once it's empty, it's empty," he said.
Water currently going through the John Gilbert Water Treatment Plant in Dubbo comes from Burrendong Dam via the Macquarie River and the aquifer, which extends from Wellington to east of Narromine.
Recent rain has helped extend the forecast for Burrendong Dam outflows to February 2021.
Level four water restrictions were introduced in Dubbo at the start of November 2019, after a month of level three restrictions.
For the past three weeks Dubbo has stayed under the level four water restrictions target of 280 litres (L) per person per day with the help of milder daytime temperatures and sporadic rain.
The council's level five water restrictions have a target of 240L per person per day.
They include a 15-minute limit on outdoor watering on Sundays only and a ban on topping up of private pools.