Manilla increased to Level 1 water restrictions as flows in Namoi River drop; other towns in Tamworth region on council's watch list

Council's water and waste manager Bruce Logan confirmed Level 1 water rules will be enforced for Manilla residents from Monday, December 7.

"We've seen that the flow in the Namoi River upstream of the weir has fallen below 10ML per day, which is the trigger point for us to introduce Level 1 restrictions," Mr Logan told the Leader on Wednesday.

The town, north of Tamworth, was moved to the base level permanent water conservation measures in April this year.

"Unfortunately it has not been a very long time, but it has been very dry and very hot and we have seen that reflected in flows," Mr Logan said.

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He said the main change locals will notice is that fixed sprinklers can only be used for two hours per day.

Under council's drought management plan, Level 2 won't be triggered until there is no water flowing over the Namoi River weir in Manilla.

"We have an informal agreement with the irrigators upstream of the Namoi River that they try and stop irrigating to try and keep flow across the weir so hopefully we'll see that happen, or even better, that it starts to rain again and we won't have to see restrictions tightened any further," Mr Logan said.

"Here is a centre that we thought went to permanent water conservation measures, and based on that we were out of the woods, but it's clear how quickly things can turn around."

Mr Logan said he is keeping a keen eye on river flows in specific locations, and he anticipates that if rain doesn't fall soon, some other towns with water woes might be next on the list.

"We're keeping a watching eye on Nundle because the flow of the Peel upstream of Nundle has dropped off," Mr Logan said.

"And Bendemeer, which is on the McDonald River, which flows into the Namoi River, we'll be keeping an eye on that one."

Tamworth, Moonbi, Kootingal are based on the level in Chaffey Dam and remain on Level 3 water restrictions.

Heatwave conditions during the past few days have seen usage in Tamworth spike, which is concerning for Mr Logan.

"It's got to be a balance between trying to keep cool and the use of evaporative air conditioners and how much water they actually use and what that means for the longevity of our supplies here in Tamworth," he said.

"Council doesn't restrict the use of evaporative coolers, but what we would say is if you don't need to use it, then please don't, if you need to use it then make sure they are serviced, maintained and are using water efficiently and effectively.

"We'd need to see significant storage increases in Split Rock, Chaffey and Keepit Dam before I would say we're through the worst of it [the drought]."