Tamworth Regional Council has had water conservation measures (restrictions) in place since August 2002, due to ongoing drought conditions in the Tamworth Region and the wider Murray-Darling Basin. Council adopted the Drought Management Plan in 2015 with aim of minimising the risk of the community running out of water, and ensure there is always sufficient water available to satisfy the basic needs of the community. The Drought Management Plan is supported by the Demand Management Plan (2016), which outlines the various water conservation measures that are to be employed by Council to ensure that town water demand levels are both efficient and sustainable. The Demand Management Plan and all rebates and offers contained within are only applicable to customers connected to the reticulated town water supply systems operated by Tamworth Regional Council, including Dungowan Dam Pipeline and Connors Creek Dam Pipeline raw water consumers.
Use of rainwater tanks during water restrictions
Rainwater can be used only from tanks not connected to the treated supply, meaning rainwater tanks must be completely stand-alone and not able to be switched to the treated supply.
There are a number of residents in the region who choose to install a stand-alone rainwater tank to allow them to water their gardens, which is permissible, as rainwater is unregulated.
However, Council needs all residents to understand that some water tanks, in particularly those installed with more recently-built homes are plumbed into the town water system for top-ups or crossover of supply. The use of these tanks falls under whatever the current level of water restrictions are for the locality the home is in - just as if this tank water is being used from a tap connected directly to treated water.
If rainwater tanks are connected to both supplies it becomes very difficult to monitor use of these tanks during water restrictions, as they could potentially be switched back and forth to both supplies without being detected. If this were to occur, it becomes unfair to the majority of residents who are complying with water restrictions.
If residents wish to use rainwater from a stand-alone tank, they will need to contact Council to have the system inspected and be issued with an official TRC approved sign.
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The final 2015 Drought Management Plan was adopted by Tamworth Regional Council in December 2015.
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Different levels of water restrictions can apply across the region as the towns and villages draw their water from different water supply systems.
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The Drought Management Plan sets out a six-level system of conservation measures, which is based on dam levels, flows in streams and bore levels for all seven of the region’s water supply schemes. Permanent (or Normal) restrictions indicate a move from level one drought zone to the normal zone and the onus for conservation is on householders and other water users.
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General watering of lawns and gardens and use of water for other outdoor purposes such as vehicle washing and maintaining swimming pools becomes more limited as water restriction levels increase.
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Commercial and non-residential water users are subject to other categories of water restriction in addition to the normal residential uses.
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Some residents may find it difficult to adhere to current water restrictions for a variety of reasons. In some cases businesses, residents, and non-profit organisations may be eligible for individual Water Management Plans which allow for water to be used outside current water restrictions.
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