CARS with 'wash me' etched into dirt on the back window are far more common as the city hits Level 4 water restrictions.
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While residents are banned from washing their cars with a bucket, workin' at the car wash it's good news for Elizabeth O'Brien.
"As far as I can tell there's only two people who benefit from a drought and that's car washes and water carters," she said.
"Our numbers have definitely increased, it's been very busy," she said.
"It's probably increased by 25 per cent minimum."
Tamworth moved to Level 4 Water Restrictions for the first time since 2016 at the start of the month.
Relentless drought means car owners can only wash vehicle windows, windscreens, number plates and mirrors at home.
As a business, the car wash isn't held to the same strict conditions, even as Tamworth Regional Council plans to do an audit of local businesses deemed to be 'large water users'.
The idea is that businesses can learn how to be more water efficient, especially as the city moves toward Level 5 emergency restrictions.
Use of town water on outdoor industrial and commercial green spaces is banned, Ms O'Brien abides by those rules and even recycles some of the water they use.
"We can't just wash down the concrete or water down the lawn, we have to be very careful as well," she said.
"We only wash down our concrete for OH&S reasons.
"It's like a lot of businesses, you have to be careful with what you use because it's costing you money as well.
"I'm like everyone else, we want rain, we still need rain."
Level 4 Water Restrictions mean that all residential outdoor use of treated or town water is banned.
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Tamworth Regional Council has stopped irrigating public parks, gardens, roundabouts and sporting facilities with treated water but will continue to use bore or groundwater where possible.
Recycled, greywater and rainwater is allowed to be used, but rainwater tanks can only be approved by the council. Those residents will be given a sign if they are standalone and not able to be switched to the treated supply.
Trickle feed tanks connected to the town water supply can't be used for outdoor watering, and there's no irrigation of commercial green spaces.
Madeline Link
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
