22 April 2026
LEVEL 1 WATER RESTRICTIONS (TENTERFIELD WATER SUPPLY)
Tenterfield Shire Council has introduced Level 1 Water Restrictions for the Tenterfield Water Supply, effective from 22 April 2026.
The restrictions have been implemented in response to declining dam levels and high water usage, with the aim of reducing overall water consumption across the community by approximately 10%.
These measures are designed to help protect the town’s water security and reduce the likelihood of more severe restrictions being required in the future.
What Level 1 Water Restrictions Mean
Under Level 1 restrictions, residents and businesses are asked to make simple changes to reduce water use, including:
- Watering gardens and lawns only between 4:00pm and 9:00am (including use of sprinklers and irrigation systems)
- Limiting hand-held hose use to a maximum of 1 hour per day
- Ensuring hoses are not left unattended
- Avoiding the hosing of hard surfaces such as driveways, paths and patios
- No restriction on water usage for essential business activities
Our community may continue to:
- Wash vehicles using a hose or bucket, provided hoses are attended
- Fill or top up pools and spas under supervision
- Water public spaces and sports fields in accordance with the same restriction times.
- Sprinklers may be used up to 2hrs/ day for essential businesses (e.g. nurseries) or where business hours dictate water use, e.g. schools
Every Drop Counts
Council is encouraging the community to work together to reduce water consumption and help preserve the town water supply.
Small changes in daily water use across households and businesses can have a significant impact on long-term water security for the community.
See also: www.tenterfield.nsw.gov.au/services/water/water-restrictions/water-restrictions-tenterfield __________________________________________________________________________________________Proposed Changes to Water Restriction Triggers
Council is also currently reviewing the trigger levels used for future water restrictions and is inviting community feedback on the proposed changes.
The proposal is now on public exhibition, with community members encouraged to read the information and make a submission.
Submissions close Friday, 29 May 2026.Details of the proposed trigger levels, including a comparison with the current levels, are provided.
Read more about the proposed changes to water restriction trigger levels.
