Forbes Shire Council would like to assure residents the Shire's water supply is safe despite recent reports in the Sunday Telegraph, 15th September, saying Forbes will be out of water by March 2020.
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The Lachlan River water supply condition is closely being monitored by the council and if needed an increase in the level of restriction will be implemented, a media release issued on Monday said.
Wyangala Dam is at 23.6 per cent and dry conditions continue.
Projections made by WaterNSW, reported in national publications, state a number of rivers and dams across the state are forecast to dry up between November this year and March 2021.
The worst-case scenario outlined is that Lachlan River, which supplies water to Cowra, Parkes and Forbes, will run out of water by March 2020 if long-range forecasts are correct and there is no significant rain events in the foreseeable future.
"Conditions will be closely monitored in the coming months," Forbes Shire General Manager, Steve Loane, said.
"If necessary the level of water restrictions will be increased.
"Forbes currently sits on 100 per cent allocation from the Lachlan River by WaterNSW, if the situation declines we will look to increasing the level of restrictions."
Mr Loane said Forbes was in a very fortunate situation, having access to supply from the Lachlan River as well as three bores in the current drought conditions.
"Careful usage from residents ensures demand doesn't exceed our supply," he added.
"Forbes Shire Council is also committed to using water responsibly and we all have a role to play."
Forbes remains on Level 1 water restrictions, which means the "odds and evens" system of watering comes in to play (if your house is an odd number, you water on the odd days of the month).
Level 1 water restrictions were introduced in August 2018 and include:
Watering of lawns permitted 6pm - 10am daily by watering systems, microsprayers, drip systems, soaker hoses, non fixed sprinklers and hand held hoses only;
Watering of residential gardens 6pm - 10am daily by watering systems, microsprayers, drip systems, soaker hoses, non fixed sprinklers and hand held hoses only;
You can top up private swimming pools;
You can wash cars at home with a bucket and rinse with a trigger hose on the lawn;
You can not wash down walls or paved surfaces.
