Armidale will be the next place in the region to move to level 5 water restrictions, after the mayor announced they would start on Tuesday of next week.
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Simon Murray said the area's residents had "risen to the challenge admirably" of reducing their water use but more would need to be done if weather predictions were correct of a continued dry spell.
Councillor Murray said it meant residents would be asked to reduce their use to 160 litres per person per day; businesses, especially high water-users, would be asked to implement a water saving action plan.
When the limits start on October 1, Armidale will join Tamworth, which moved to restrictions today; Guyra set them on June 24.
Tenterfield is at level 4.5 and the town of Jennings in that shire is on critical restrictions, under which the target use is 100L per person per day.
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"We have asked a lot of our community over the last six months and you have all risen to the challenge admirably," Cr Murray said.
"From 222 litres per person per day (PPPD) water consumption [down] to approximately 180 litres PPPD has been remarkable.
"Our challenge, however, still remains. We must do more to conserve our water ... until we receive meaningful rain and our dams have in-flow."
Cr Murray said that, based on the current reduced usage rate, Malpas Dam's day-zero water supply had extended to about 427 days, or into November 2020.
"This is why council will continue to ask you to conserve more water in the home and adopt water-wise strategies, to reach our target of 160 PPPD," he said.
"If we reach this target, our days to zero will further increase."
Water-saving help
Cr Murray said the council would consult with the highest water-using businesses through a water conservation officer "to help implement their plans".
Residents could also get help to buy items such as water-efficient washing machines, toilets, showerheads and rainwater tanks.
"Under the scheme, council will pay a maximum of 50 per cent of the purchase cost for select water-saving devices," he said.
"A front-loading washing machine with a WELS rating of 4.5 stars or higher is one of the most effective ways many households and businesses can make substantial water savings."
He said the rebate scheme would also help households get a plumber to audit their home, repair leaks and identify further water savings.
