TAMWORTH Regional Council has banned all outdoor watering in Nundle with the village moved to level four restrictions.
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Level four is the second harshest set of limitations council can impose with only “emergency” levels above it.
The restrictions came into effect on Monday morning.
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Tamworth, Moonbi and Kootingal could also be facing level two restrictions in a matter of days with Chaffey Dam plummeting to 35.4 per cent.
Once the dam hits 35 per cent, the trigger should be pulled for level two restrictions, which would see residents banned from using the reticulated supply for sprinkler use.
On Tuesday morning, Chaffey Dam was sitting at 35.4 capacity meaning there was just 402 megalitres to go before reaching the trigger point.
Chaffey Dam was releasing 189 megalitres per day for Namoi valley licence holders, including council, according to the most recent Water NSW availability report.
These release volumes would see Chaffey hit the level two trigger point in two or three days’ time, but council is yet to advertise harsher restrictions could be in the way, so it might not come into effect until next week.
Under level two restrictions, council aims to reduce daily water usage in the city to 22.2 megalitres and target a 10 per cent non-residential usage reduction.
Once council’s level two drought response is enacted it will start “issuing warnings and fines for violation of restrictions”.
Under level four restrictions, all residential outdoor use of treated, town water is banned.
Nundle’s supply will be switched from the Peel River to the Crawney Road bore with a usage target of 0.09 megalitres per day, while council will also investigate other potential bores for the town.
Council will cease to irrigate public parks, gardens, roundabouts and sporting facilities with treated water, but bore or groundwater can continue to be used where available.
Attunga and Barraba are on permanent water conservation measures, while Manilla is on level three.
Tamworth, Moonbi and Kootingal remain on level one for now.
Council was contacted for comment. Water director Bruce Logan will address the media regarding restrictions on Tuesday.
Level four restrictions
- All residential outdoor use of treated / town / Council water is now banned.
- Council will cease to irrigate public parks, gardens, roundabouts and sporting facilities with treated water, but bore / groundwater can continue to be used where available.
- Recycled, greywater and rainwater can be used. If you believe use of these supplies will be misperceived by neighbours or passersby, Council can inspect the system and provide signage for its use.
- Trickle feed tanks that are connected to the town water supply for refilling cannot be used for outdoor watering.
- There is no irrigation of outdoor industrial and commercial green spaces.
- Cleaning of vehicle windows, windscreens and mirrors can be done for safety purposes with buckets only.
- Pools cannot be filled or topped up.