TAMWORTH could be one month away from level five water restrictions.
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The city's main supply, Chaffey Dam, has continued to dwindle with about 2400 megalitres standing between Tamworth and its toughest restrictions.
Level five restrictions are described as "extreme" in the council's drought management plan and it could see residents "asked to reduce shower times and limit washing machine loads".
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"Business may be asked to restrict water usage to only essential services, with the possible shutting down of non-essential, water dependent services," the plan said.
"Key actions include implementing emergency response and supply options and an all-out community water reduction appeal."
According to the council's figures, the city's water usage has remained below level four targets to date.
Last week, Tamworth, Moonbi and Kootingal used 16.33 megalitres while usage has increased slightly to 17.29 megalitres this week.
Under level four restrictions, the council aims to reduce consumption to 18.5 megalitres per week.
The council hasn't set a date for level five restrictions yet, but it has signalled it will be in effect by early September without any change to conditions.
Once the austere measures are in place, residents could see a stricter regime of water metering in the region.
It could also bring about a "strict issuing of warnings and fines for violation of restrictions."
"It is envisaged that a residential usage target of around 150 litres per person per day would initially be implemented and this could be reduced to as low as 100 litres per person per day in the event of a severe water shortage," the drought management plan said.
Jacob McArthur
Jacob McArthur is opinions editor for The Canberra Times and Australian Community Media. As part of the Canberra Times' production team, he helps the people of Canberra and beyond get the stories they need, when they need them across a range of platforms, while helping maintain a high editorial standard. Before moving to Canberra in 2020, he started with Australian Community Media in 2015 as a journalist for The Northern Daily Leader in Tamworth where he kept a close eye on Tamworth Regional Council. Jacob was also the co-host of ACM's Water Pressure podcast where he and Jamieson Murphy took a deep dive on issues and key decisions arising during one of the region's worst droughts on record.
Jacob McArthur is opinions editor for The Canberra Times and Australian Community Media. As part of the Canberra Times' production team, he helps the people of Canberra and beyond get the stories they need, when they need them across a range of platforms, while helping maintain a high editorial standard. Before moving to Canberra in 2020, he started with Australian Community Media in 2015 as a journalist for The Northern Daily Leader in Tamworth where he kept a close eye on Tamworth Regional Council. Jacob was also the co-host of ACM's Water Pressure podcast where he and Jamieson Murphy took a deep dive on issues and key decisions arising during one of the region's worst droughts on record.
