The price rise comes following the councillors vote on the budget in the 2019-20 annual operational plan.

There will be a 400 per cent price rise for people buying less than seven kilolitres for the council's bulk water stations.

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It will now cost $10 per kilolitre for people buying volumes up to 7000 litres, this is up from the previous price of $2.50.

The price for commercial quantities of water accessed by water carters (volumes greater than or equal to 7 kilolitres in one transaction) will increase from $2.50 a kilolitre to $2.57.

Farmers will be still be able to get up to 3000 litres of water for free per week in communities where water restrictions haven't reached level four, including Barraba, Manilla and Attunga.

Any owner of a property located within the Tamworth Regional Council area who can provide a current NSW Local Land Services rates notice for that property is eligible to apply for a swipe card to gain access to the free water scheme.

A refundable $50 is payable before the card is issued and applications can be found online.

Access to free water from a bulk water refill station in a particular centre will stop when level four water restrictions come into effect

Stations located in areas under level 4 restrictions like those in Tamworth, Kootingal and Nundle are only accessible to commercial water carters.

Approved farmers cannot access free water and the purchasing of water at these stations, other than by water carters, is not permitted.

The council will end access to free water at all stations when more than half of the region is no longer drought declared.

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