Tenterfield will move to Level 2 (Moderate) Water Restrictions from Thursday, 27 August 2026.
Water Restrictions are introduced as part of the planned escalation framework in Council’s Drought Management Plan, to manage the town’s water supply during periods of reduced water availability.
Restrictions apply to properties connected to the Tenterfield dam water supply.
Level 2 restrictions are intended to reduce water consumption across the community by approximately 10–20%, with a target of 250–280 litres per person per day.
Council encourages all residents and businesses to review their water use and identify opportunities to reduce consumption.
What changes under Level 2?
Some of the key requirements for households include:
- No unattended hoses
- Fixed hoses and sprinklers: use is limited to a maximum of 15 minutes per day between 4pm and 9am.
- Hand-held hoses: limited to 30 minutes per day between 4pm and 9am, with one hose permitted per property.
- Swimming pools and spas: filling new or existing pools is not permitted. Topping up pools is permitted using a hand-held hose for up to one hour per day outside the hours of 8am and 4pm.
- Car washing: buckets only on grassed areas.
- Washing hard surfaces: washing hard surfaces with a hand-held hose is not permitted.
- Businesses and commercial premises are encouraged to review their water use and implement water-saving measures wherever possible.
- Stock watering from Council’s potable water supply requires approval by Council.