Similar to a previous 'boil water' notice issued in November last year, Council said that following recent storms, turbidity (a level of water clarity) within the Cudgegong River was extremely high and Council temporarily ceased collection of river water for the operation of Mudgee and Gulgong Water Treatment Plants.

and over the weekend Council directed efforts to restoring Water Treatment Plant storage levels.

However, this meant residents were asked to limit all non-essential water use to allow existing potable water supplies stored in town reservoirs to sustain water needs of Mudgee and Gulgong until the plants could once again treat river water.

Council's General Manager Brad Cam thanked residents for their patience and understanding of the issue.

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"Thank you to everyone who delayed watering their lawns and gardens and passed the information on to neighbours and friends," Mr Cam said.

"By conserving water and isolating raw water pumps we were able to avoid issuing a Boil Water Alert similar to that experienced in November last year.

"Although summer storms like those experienced over the long weekend are not unusual for the region, coupled with severe drought conditions means that bare topsoils that are usually vegetated are being washed into the river and its tributaries, leading to unusually high amounts of sediments in the river water (high turbidity).

"Council's water treatment plants are not designed to treat such extreme raw water conditions and these changing climatic conditions are something Council is continuously managing and responding to."

Residents are now free to use water in accordance with Level 2 Water Restrictions. More information on permitted activities can be found on Council's website.