Level One Water Restrictions Introduced Across Yass Valley

Published on 25 February 2026

Yass Valley Council will introduce level one water restrictions across the Yass Valley from Wednesday 25 February, following continued low rainfall, hot, dry conditions and dropping dam levels. 

The storage level of Yass Dam has fallen below 81%, triggering the introduction of restrictions to help conserve water supplies. The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting ongoing warm and dry weather without any significant rainfall for the next 7 days, which is expected to increase water demand and accelerate evaporation. 

Level one restrictions focus on reducing non-essential outdoor water use. This includes limiting sprinkler use, household car washing, reducing pool filling and the hosing of hard surfaces. 

Mayor Jasmin Jones said the introduction of restrictions was a necessary proactive step to protect the community’s water supply. 

“With the recent hot weather and continued dry conditions forecast, it is important that we act now to ensure we can maintain a reliable water supply for residents should these conditions persist,” Mayor Jones said. 

“We will continue to closely monitor dam levels and anticipate the water system will soon be replenished with Autumn's expected seasonal rainfall.” 

Under level one restrictions, sprinklers may only be used every second day between 6.00pm and 9.00pm, with odd-numbered houses permitted to water on odd-numbered days and even-numbered houses on even-numbered days. Households occupied only by elderly residents may water in the morning between 7.00am and 10.00am on alternate days. 

Car washing is limited to once a week on grassed surfaces, pools can only be topped up with hoses, and hosing hard surfaces is limited to emergency clean-ups.  Gardens can be watered anytime with a watering can or bucket.  

The restrictions apply to all customers connected to the Yass water supply network, including Yass town and the village areas of Murrumbateman, Bowning and Binalong. 

Level one water restrictions are:   

• Use of sprinklers – including pop-ups and micro-sprays or handheld hoses or drippers in accordance with the following schedule:  

• Odd street numbered houses 6.00 pm. to 9.00 pm on odd numbered days 
• Even street numbered houses, 6.00 pm. to 9.00 pm on even numbered days 
• Houses only with elderly people are allowed to water between 7.00am and 10.00am on alternative days. 
• Public parks, oval and gardens to be watered at minimum level for sustainability.  

• Washing vehicles – only allowed on grassed rather than paved surfaces no more than once a week with bucket/watering can/handheld hose with trigger nozzle or high pressure/low volume cleaner (no restriction on commercial vehicle wash facilities). 

• Pools - Filling and topping up pools by hand-held hose only (pool covers encouraged). 

• Gardens - Buckets and watering cans can be used anytime for essential garden watering. 

• Hosing Hard Surfaces - No hosing of hard surfaces (unless necessary cleaning is required as a result of accident, fire, health hazard or other emergency). 

Yass Valley Council uses data from the weather forecast, dam levels and trend in water consumption rates to determine the necessary level of water restriction and duration. When there is significant rainfall that results in an increase in the water storage level of the Dam over and above 81%, water restrictions will be eased. 

Yass Valley Council would also like to remind people that the street hydrants are vital for public safety and water can only be taken from street hydrants for emergency purposes. If you see someone using a hydrant for unauthorised use, please let Council know via Snap, Send & Solve, phone Customer Services on 02 6226 1477 or email at council@yass.nsw.gov.au. 

For full details about what each level of water restrictions involves, the Yass Valley Council Water Supply Restrictions Policy can be accessed here: 

Water Supply Restrictions Policy 

You can monitor dam storage levels via Council’s live dashboard here: 

Yass Dam - Live Storage Levels

FAQs about the water restrictions can be found here:  

Water Restrictions Yass Valley Council 

If you have questions, please contact our Customer Services Team on 02 6226 1477 or via email at council@yass.nsw.gov.au