The Canowindra Bowling Club has been forced to install emergency water measures, trucking in tanker loads as the water supply crisis continues.
The drought has hit Central Tablelands Water consumers at an accelerated pace, with restrictions quickly tightening in just a few weeks as the main supply, Lake Rowlands, falls.
Tankers have already begun to deliver the water needed to keep greens alive and volunteers are helping hand water during the only hour allowed it under the current Level 4 water restrictions imposed by Central Tablelands Water.
Its all hands on deck, as several operators and hoses are needed to try and cover the green within the short 60 minutes.
Club president Roger Traves said the emergency tanker loads will continue as the club investigates an alternate watering system for its greens.
"What we have done in the meantime is to investigate getting our well up and going, along with installing a 45,000 tank to store enough water to cover both greens.
"Miltey Smith and Sons have donated two tanker loads already, which equates to 34,000 litres of water.
"The local water suppliers have been very helpful helping us cope in the short term. However, some tanks suppliers are so busy they have told us it will be January or February before they can get to us.
"But until the club can get the well up and running, and a tank installed, we will need one tanker load of water every week just to maintain the greens."
The club had applied for a Government grant to help investigate a new watering system, but received news this week it was unsuccessful.
Mr Traves believes Central Tablelands Water could have looked at introducing restrictions earlier in an effort to stop the dam levels falling so quickly.
"They could have come in earlier and if we were given a little bit more notice we could have got this all organised.
"We have been slowly reducing our watering, knowing that the drought will continue, but this has happened so quickly.
"We have also been advised that it could be only four to five weeks away before Level 5 restrictions are introduced, and that's no hand held hoses at all. Town water is banned under those restrictions, so that means no watering, aside from what we can provide, at all. Grenfell Bowling Club is already anticipating the introduction of this.
The club board sat down on Tuesday night for further decisions.
"We have to spend the money now, rather than lose two greens. Its a better alternative than facing the cost of losing and having to replace those greens.
"It will have a significant affect on our anniversary carnival in January next year, which will be one of the biggest events, not just for us, but for the area.
"We will also look at the idea of a synthetic turf, but it is not an attractive alternative.
"I would like to thank the people who have supported the club during this time, who have volunteered their hours to water the greens. We have also had offers of water and other assistance to the club and all help is very much appreciated."
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