However, General Manager Bruce Fitzpatrick is optimistic about the future of water in Oberon.

Mr Fitzpatrick said despite the fact that the present water cut backs were the worst experienced in Oberon since the dam was built at the end of the 1940's, he believes the cut backs imposed have meant that more water is being saved.

“The amount of water being cut down by users has made a difference”, he said.

The Level 4 water restrictions in Oberon have meant less water is being used by the town, and also the timber complex has saved large quantities of water by reorganising its internal use of water on site. The timber complex originally proposed they would require one mega litre per day, and have now estimated they only will use 0.6 of a mega litre per day.

Furthermore, the proposed water re-use scheme, where an additional plant will treat waste water from the sewerage plant and then transfer it to the timber complex, will also decrease the amount of water usage in Oberon.

Mr Fitzpatrick said these cutbacks were keeping the water level in the dam reasonably steady.

“The dam is not lowering at as much of a percentage as it was before,” Mr Fitzpatrick said.

Statistics from the Fish River Water Supply Customer Council, which are reproduced below, show that every consumer of water from the Fish River supply, including Oberon, has made huge cutbacks in water usage in 2007/08 compared to their allowances or shares.

If the level of the Oberon dam reaches 15% capacity, Level 5 water restrictions will be put in place.

Mr Fitzpatrick said at this stage the water cutbacks have had the desired effect and Council would continue to monitor the water situation.

“Everybody is pulling their weight,” he said.