The $4.9 million project is believed to be the first of its kind in the country and will be capable of pumping 2200 megalitres of harvested stormwater into the depleted Suma Park Dam as early as March 2009.

Based on current usage levels, the system will be able to supply the city of Orange with 200 days of drinking water.

Mayor Reg Kidd confirmed council had received seven tenders for the work.

The winning tender, which will be announced this week, will build a weir on the site of where the stormwater will be harvested along with a system of gross pollutant traps which removes large solids and rubbish.

Cr Kidd sought to assure downstream users they would not be disadvantaged by the scheme.

“Limiting the harvesting to 10 per cent ensures environmental flows are maintained and downstream users who rely on water for their livelihood and lifestyle are not adversely affected,” he said.

“Water security was an important issue for the former council and remains top of the list for the new council as well.”

The stormwater harvesting project formed part of a range of drought-proofing measures announced by former mayor John Davis earlier this year.

Other projects underway or in the planning stages include bore fields, a pipeline connecting Lake Canobolas to the city’s water grid and a $25 million safety upgrade to the Suma Park dam wall.