It was revealed in April of this year that temporary pumps would have to be installed to reach the water after it was realised that the gravity-fed pipe outside the dam is higher than the outlet which reaches the water at all levels. The pipe therefore cannot draw water once the dam dips below five per cent capacity.

Councillors vented their displeasure at the delay at this month's council meeting, saying that State Water indicated it would have the pumps installed within 12 weeks from mid April, and that period is coming to an end.

Councillor Bob O'Bernier, who from the beginning felt the estimated 12-week timeline was very optimistic on the part of State Water, was among those angered by the delay in installing the pumps.

However, State Water says it is on track to have the pumps installed.

A State Water spokesperson told the Oberon Review that several operations need to take place, including upgrading the power supply to the dam wall, installation of submersible pumps to pump water from the dam into the intake tower and reconfiguring valves in the intake tower.

The spokesperson said that the entire process is expected to be complete by the end of July, which was outlined in the schedule provided to the Fish River Customer Council, which includes a representative from Oberon Council.

The Oberon Dam has risen slightly over the past couple of weeks, once again rising this week to 10.24 per cent.