Rural
10 March, 2026
Little change in water storage levels at Yass
There has been little change in water storage levels at Yass since restrictions were introduced last month.
There has been little change in water storage levels at Yass since restrictions were introduced last month.
Level 1 water restrictions were introduced across the Yass Valley after the storage level in Yass Dam fell to 81 per cent.
Just after 8am on Monday morning (March 9) the water level was still sitting at just 81.54 per cent – despite heavy rainfalls in other parts of the state.
The Level 1 restrictions apply to water users in the Yass township as well as the village areas of Murrumbateman, Bowning and Binalong.
The restrictions focus on reducing non-essential outdoor water use. This includes limiting the use of sprinklers, household car washing, pool filling and the hosing of hard surfaces.
Yass Valley mayor Jasmin Jones said the introduction of water 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,” the Mayor said.
“We will continue to closely monitor dam levels and anticipate the water system will soon be replenished with Autumn’s expected season rainfall.”
However if that doesn’t happen the community will face tougher (Level 2) water restrictions if the dam level drops to 74 per cent.
Under Level 1 water restrictions, sprinklers may only be used every second day between 6pm and 9pm, 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 7am and 10am 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 at any time with a watering can or bucket.
Businesses are subject to the same level of restrictions as private users however there are no restrictions on commercial car washing facilities.
Parks, ovals and gardens will only be watered at a minimum level to ensure sustainability.
Yass Dam was constructed in 1927 with a capacity of 1,125ML.
The dam wall was raised three metres in 2013 at a cost of $22 million, more than doubling its capacity to 2,460ML.
Bowning and Binalong were connected to the Yass water supply in 1989 followed by Murrumbateman in 2021 following completion of the Yass to Murrumbateman Water Transfer Project.
Read More: Yass, Southern Tablelands