Local residents will be cautiously relieved as the council makes moves to lower water restrictions to Level 4 by Monday 31st August.
Tamworth, Moonbi and Kootingal's main water supply Chaffey Dam reached 25% capacity around 9 pm on Thursday 21st August, triggering a reassessment of water restrictions in line with the Drought Management Plan.
Council staff will present a memo to Mayor Col Murray and General Manager Paul Bennett for a final decision this coming Monday the 24th August.
Under Level 4 restrictions the following guidelines apply:
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.
Recycled, greywater and rainwater can be used. Rainwater tanks can only be approved by Council and a sign issued if they are stand-alone and not able to be switched to the treated supply.
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, number plates and mirrors can be done for safety and regulatory purposes with buckets only.
Pools cannot be filled or topped up.