Tamworth water restrictions: Residents beat targets for use, council considers plans for new developments

Tamworth Regional Council is reviewing its Local Environment Plan to look at how it might change development controls for new businesses and homes.

The council's water and waste director Bruce Logan said nothing has been decided, but it will be looking at mandating the size and installation of rainwater tanks.

"We have seen with the cooler weather and the rain that it is possible for us to get our consumption below 16ML a day," he said.

"It does demonstrate that if our heart is in it we can certainly conserve water in Tamworth."

This week residents beat water consumption targets, using just 15.8ML compared to 16.1ML last week.

The $100,000 Emergency Water Supply Plan is under development and a draft is expected by the end of April.

Water consumption won't be a big issue in winter, but if the drought continues into spring and summer 2021, Mr Logan said the council will have to make some difficult decisions.

"It's very concerning that we've had significant levels of rain and none in the catchment of Chaffey Dam," he said.

"I don't know when that rain is going to happen but that's what we need to see."

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When Chaffey Dam reaches 10 per cent, the city will have to reduce its water use from 150L to 100L per person, per day. It will be hard work, but it is achievable, Mr Logan said.

"It is harder, people have to be committed to getting their water consumption down to 100L of water per day," he said.

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