MANILLA and Barraba will move to level 4 water restrictions on January 20, which will restrict access to the towns' bulk water filling station to just licensed water carters.
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Residents from both towns have raised concerns in recent weeks, with one group seizing control of Manilla's bulk filling station, protesting its use to fill up Tamworth pools.
When Australian Community Media asked Tamworth mayor Col Murray how much influence the community concern had in the decision, he said "that's a difficult one to answer".
"The staff brought along some really good statistical information and forward predictions," Cr Murray said.
"Over the last couple of months, the bulk filling station has only been responsible for 10 per cent of Manilla's water use. In reality, there isn't a huge amount coming back to fill Tamworth pools like the community argued.
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Regardless, Cr Murray said the move should alleviate community concerns about what the water is being used for.
TRC water director Bruce Logan said by limiting access to register water carters for domestic use only, the council would able to police where the water was going, as carters were required to fill out a logbook.
"Because there will be a significantly reduced number of users, we'll be able to check what they're using it for," Mr Logan said.
"Because they get an access card from council, if we find that they're doing the wrong thing, we can cancel their access card and they can no longer get access."
A community meeting about the Manilla and Barraba water situation will be held at 3pm on Wednesday, January 15, at the Manilla RSL, but no council staff will be attending.
Level 4 water restrictions:
- All residential outdoor use of treated/town/council water is now banned
- Council will cease to irrigate public parks, gardens, roundabouts and sporting facilities with treated water, but bore/groundwater can continue to be used where available
- Recycled, greywater and rainwater can be used
- Rainwater tanks can only be approved by council and a sign issued if they are stand-alone and not able to be switched to treated supply
- Trickle-feed tanks connected to town water supply for refilling cannot be used for outdoor watering
- No irrigation of outdoor industrial and commercial green spaces
- Cleaning of vehicle windows, windscreens, number plates and mirrors can be done for safety and regulatory purposes with buckets only
- Pools cannot be filled or topped up
- Council swimming pools will remain open