AFTER a long slog sticking to strict water rules, no cracks are showing in the commitment of Tamworth water users to preserve the precious resource.
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Locals are proving habits die hard by consistently using less water than the target amount for Level 4 restrictions, a month after the change.
Tamworth Regional Council (TRC) water sustainability officer Louise Cadell said locals had taken ownership of the city's H20 supply, and she largely puts it down to the flow-on effect from life during drought.
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"After 12 months on Level 5 water restrictions, day-in and day-out hearing that message of 150L per person per day ... people have got into a bit of routine," she told the Leader.
"All it took was for residents to really break down the figures and take a look at how much water they need to use in a day, and once they did that, it became a natural behavioural change, and hopefully it sticks around, because we should be more sustainable in our water use at home."
Although there isn't a bucket load of difference between Level 5 and Level 4 restrictions, Tamworth's target water use per day went from a total of 16.1ML to 18.5ML, or 150L per person per day to 200L.
Restrictions dropped at the end of August, after Chaffey Dam crept past 25 per cent capacity.
The amount of water residents have used over the past few weeks smashed the goal, hovering around 15 to 16ML per day, on average. And if people think about breaking the rules, think again.
TRC received an increase in reports of water breaches trickling in from concerned residents during September, after the rules changed.
"That's really important because it gives us the opportunity to educate those who may not have known what Level 4 restrictions involve," Miss Cadell said.
No fines had been handed out since Level 4 began.
Miss Cadell said mild weather had also helped keep water use down, but warned the floodgates could open as days become hotter.
"We are facing the warmer months, they are just around the corner, and things are going to start heating up very quickly and that is when we are going to see consumption naturally increase," she said.
"Chaffey Dam is at 26 per cent but it's certainly not rising quickly ... so we still have to be wary that we're definitely not out of the woods when it comes to water supply."
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
