Council introduces new enforcement measures for water restrictions

With water restrictions increasing across the wider region, Tamworth Regional Council is implementing a number of measures to ensure that people are adhering to them. 

Considering these dry times, Tamworth, Moonbi and Kootingal have today been placed on level two water restrictions which means sprinklers, pop up systems and micro sprays are no longer to be used. Drip systems are still permitted provided they are only used for a maximum of two hours per day between the hours of 6pm and 8pm. 

Council is encouraging residents to practice smart water usage in every home and business, with additional monitoring to protect the community’s water supply. 

Today, the Director of Water and Waste at Tamworth Regional Council, Mr Bruce Logan announced some of the water restriction enforcement measures that Council will put in place to ensure that people across the region are adhering to set restrictions. 

An increased number of Council staff will be travelling around various centres and reporting breaches of restrictions in place. 

“On the spot fines may be issued for breaches, although most people will receive a warning letter, for a first and second breach of restrictions before a fine is issued,” said Mr Logan.  

For repeated breaches, Council may apply a water supply restrictor to the premises of which restricts the water supply to 2 litres per minute. The restrictor will be put in place at a cost to the resident for installation and later removal upon compliance. 

“It’s so important that we worked together as a region in these dry times and it is our hope that we won’t have to issue any fines, but that everyone will do their bit to conserve our water supply,” added Mr Logan. 

To find out more about water restrictions across the Tamworth region visit www.tamworth.nsw.gov.au/ or contact council on 02 6767 5555. To report a breach of restrictions in your neighbourhood visit MY TRC app.