DESPITE a small rise in the water level at Chaffey Dam this week, Tamworth remains on the most severe water restrictions in the region.
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The dam, which is the city's main water supply, had a 0.11 per cent increase in capacity in the latest water update.
The water levels in Chaffey are expected to remain relatively stable after it was announced on Wednesday that environmental flows would cease immediately.
Chaffey reached 14.09 per cent full this week, according to a report from Tamworth Regional Council on Wednesday.
The rise in levels is thanks to the largest inflows of water in about a month that flowed from the head of the Peel River above Nundle down to the dam. But Chaffey has not yet had inflows significant enough to make a real difference.
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Data from Water NSW shows inflows were down below zero at this time in May. Over the course of the month, the flows had risen steadily and peaked at just below 450 megalitres of water gushing into the dam on June 1 and June 2.
Rainfall in the catchment over those couple of days helped boost the dam and inflows of the precious resource.
Tamworth, Moonbi and Kootingal are still on Level 5 water restrictions, and Tamworth council is holding locals accountable by bringing back street patrols to monitor compliance with the rules.
A $220 on-the-spot fine or warning awaits people caught breaking the strict regulations.
The city has hit the target level of water consumption this week under Level 5 restrictions, according to the council report.
The goal for average daily water use is 16.1 megalitres, and this week Tamworth used an average of 15.17 megalitres daily.
Although the city nailed the target, water use this week was up slightly on last week, when the average daily consumption was only 14.6 megalitres.
Water released from Chaffey Dam down the Peel River averaged out to be 6.13 megalitres daily.
Level 5 restrictions will likely continue to be a way of life for Tamworth locals in the immediate future because council's drought management plan shows restrictions won't be eased back until Chaffey Dam hits 25 per cent capacity.
Police and crime reporter at the Newcastle Herald. Email: afalkenmire@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Police and crime reporter at the Newcastle Herald. Email: afalkenmire@austcommunitymedia.com.au
