Downhill graph paints bleak picture of Chaffey Dam inflows

Today, Tamworth's main water source sits at 21.6 per cent.

Graphing the dam's decline shows rapid drops in water levels over the hotter summer period - falling by up to 15 per cent the three months of last summer, and a further 10 per cent this summer.

Water use has slowed recently due to the cooler climate, severe water restrictions and limited farming allocations.

But with summer just around the corner, Tamworth council and the NSW government are preparing for another drop in Chaffey's capacity.

It goes without saying that it's also been a grim year for rainfall.

Only three times in the past 12 months has Tamworth met its average rainfall target.

In April this year, the city didn't see a single drop of rain.

The past quarter has been particularly dry, with the combined total for June, July and August (37.6mm) not reaching a month's average rainfall.

The 475mm of rain Tamworth has seen since August last year is still 200mm off the region's annual average.

- Aug 2018: 29.4mm

- Sep 2018: 47.4mm

- Oct 2018: 63.6mm

- Nov 2018: 85mm

- Dec 2018: 51.6mm

- Jan 2019: 29.6mm

- Feb 2019: 14mm

- Mar 2019: 76.6mm

- Apr 2019: 0.0mm

- May 2019: 40.2mm

- Jun 2019: 16.4mm

- Jul 2019: 18mm

- Aug 2019: 3.2mm