Council may flout water restrictions to open pool during summer

TRC's drought management plan says under level 5 restrictions, no pools can be filled, including those owned by council.

However, numerous residents and community groups have contacted council, asking it to open at least one.

Councillors will consider a report on Tuesday, which outlines options to fill pools without using treated drinking water.

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"If we can find other sources of water, that certainly takes the heat out of the debate," Tamworth mayor Col Murray said.

"Things like groundwater. We're already able to top up the pool with some water out of the reservoir that needed repairs."

"They're the sort of initiatives that might allow the pool to be open."

Cr Murray said at the moment, only Tamworth and Kootingal pools were being considered, with smaller pools such as Nundle, Manilla and Barraba expected to miss out.

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There is also a "real risk" the empty pools might crack in the heat of summer, which could be a costly repair.

"If the pools do dry up and the ground surrounding the pools dries and shrinks, that's one of the elements of concern," Cr Murray said.

"There are a lot of pros and cons to closing pools, they're not easy things to mothball. It does present some significant challenges.

"Council's view will always be how we balance the needs of an active community, with the responsibility to have sustainable water."