CHAFFEY DAM has gained a small but welcome increase in capacity after rain fell in the catchment late last week.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Tamworth Regional Council's weekly update shows Chaffey Dam rose slightly in the last seven days by 0.12 per cent, climbing to 13.9 per cent capacity on Wednesday.
It's the first time in about a month Chaffey has seen an increase for the week, rather than a drop.
Net water inflows to the dam peaked close to 150 megalitres a day around May 3 after rain fell in the catchment over the previous three days.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) gauge at the head of the Peel River clocked 36.2mm of rain on May 1; 1.4mm on May 2; and another 14.4mm on May 3.
READ ALSO:
It brings the monthly total for the Head of the Peel to 52mm for the first week of May, according to the BoM weather station. The gauge caught a total of 95.2mm in April.
Council's water report shows the average daily water consumption for Tamworth residents is still hovering at the 15 megalitre mark, beating the target for Level 5 restrictions.
This week, water use averaged out to be 15.31 megalitres per day, down slightly on last week when the city consumed 15.59 megalitres daily.
The target usage under the current Level 5 restrictions is 16.1 megalitres per day - a target Tamworth has smashed consistently in recent weeks.
The average daily release of water from Chaffey Dam, which is Tamworth's main water supply, was 15.11 megalitres for the week.
The new pipeline from Chaffey Dam to Dungowan has been completed and online for two weeks now.
Testing is still underway to check it is operating according to its design, ensuring it carries water to Tamworth with no transmission losses.
While the small rise in the dam is welcome, water restrictions in Tamworth cannot be wound back until the dam hits 25 per cent capacity.
Even then, the city will only drop to Level 4 restrictions, and will go down another level with each additional 5 per cent gained after reaching that milestone.
This week, Dungowan Dam continued to fill, hitting 56.82 per cent.
Split Rock Dam is now at 4.59 per cent after a small rise.
Council's report shows there are no upcoming changes to water restrictions planned in the region.
Tamworth remains on Level 5 restrictions and Nundle and Attunga are on Level 2.
Bendemeer, Manilla and Barraba are on the minimum level of permanent conservation measures.
Police and crime reporter at the Newcastle Herald.
Police and crime reporter at the Newcastle Herald.
