Water Restrictions
Current Water Restrictions
Following an extensive dry period recent regular rainfall across the Castlereagh River catchment has recharged the Castlereagh River. Timor Dam is now at 100% storage level as of 8 July 2026 and there are regular flows being observed in the Castlereagh River.
Level 1 water restrictions have now be lifted for Coonabarabran, Binnaway, Merrygoen and Mendooran.
Council would like to remind customers that whilst there has been reasonable rainfall of late, the medium term forecast suggest a hotter and dryer than average summer period and preservation of water practices should remain implemented where possible.
Odds and Evens System Explained
When Level 2 or Level 3 water restrictions are in place, an odds and evens system is used to manage outdoor water use.
The system is based on the street number of your property and the numbered day of the month.
How it works
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If your property has an odd street number, you may water on odd-numbered days of the month, in line with the current restrictions. For example if your property is 15 John Street, then you can water on odd calender dates.
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If your property has an even street number, you may water on even-numbered days of the month, in line with the current restrictions. For example if your property is 22 Smith Street, then you can water on even calender dates.
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If your property has a range of street numbers should follow the first number in the range. For example if your property is 12-15 Smith Street then you can water on even dates.
For more detail on how water restrictions are applied across the Shire, see Warrumbungle Shire Council’s Drought Management Plan.
Water Levels
Council regularly monitors local water supplies to help manage demand and plan for dry conditions.
Water Saving Ideas
Smart Water Advice
Warrumbungle Shire Council is a proud supporter of Smart Water Advice, a free, practical online resource designed to help households and businesses use water more efficiently.
Most of us expect water to be available whenever we turn on the tap. While it’s easy to take for granted, water is a precious resource and one we all play a role in protecting. Smart Water Advice provides simple, everyday guidance to help you understand how water is used, why saving it matters, and how small changes can make a big difference.
Smart Water Advice is designed to help people:
- Use water efficiently at home and in the garden
- Understand how much water they use compared to others
- Reduce water waste and evaporation
- Build better water-saving habits for the future
The site also includes water-saving tips for kids, short videos, fact sheets and easy-to-use tools.
Explore Smart Water Advice
Water Saving Tips
Here are 10 easy, everyday tips to help save water at home:
- Check the weather forecast before watering your garden.
- Water plants in the morning or evening and use a trigger nozzle.
- Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth or washing your hands, this can save up to 5 litres per minute.
- Always run the washing machine with a full load.
- Wash your car using a bucket and trigger nozzle on the grass, not the driveway.
- Use a timer to keep showers short.
- Think before you pull the plug, could that water be reused safely on the garden or for rinsing recyclables?
- When buying new products, look for Smart Drop Certified products or a WELS star rating.
- Check for leaks by making sure your water meter stops overnight.
- Fix dripping taps, one drip per second can waste up to 12,000 litres of water a year.
Visit Smart Water Advice for more tips
Water Saving Tools and Resources
The tools below are designed to help you better understand how water is used in your household and identify opportunities to save water.
Home Water Efficiency Audit Kit
A step-by-step guide to checking water use, identifying leaks and improving efficiency around your home.
Download the Home Water Efficiency Audit Kit
Blue House
Spend a couple of minutes exploring the Blue House to discover how to use water efficiently in your home by making small changes in your behaviour and by choosing water efficient products.
Visit the Blue House
Water Calculator
Have a play with the Water Calculator to identify how much water you use in your home, compare your usage against your neighbour and find out how you can use less water and save money.
Visit the Water Calculator
The Plant Finder
Designing a new garden? The Plant Finder helps you choose the right plants for your climate, soil type and plant type. Have an explore and discover how to design a beautiful, water efficient garden.
Visit the Plant Finder
Drought Management
Council’s Drought Management Plan provides guidance on how water supplies are managed during drought conditions to support towns, villages and rural residents across the Shire.
The plan draws on lessons learned from past droughts, including the 2000–2003 drought, and considers how previous responses can be improved. It also looks ahead to the potential impacts of more severe drought conditions and outlines reasonable steps Council can take to strengthen water security and identify additional water supply options where possible.
The Drought Management Plan helps Council:
- Plan for and respond to drought conditions
- Manage water supplies as responsibly and efficiently as possible
- Reduce impacts on communities, businesses and rural residents
- Improve long-term water security across the Shire
NSW Drought Hub
The NSW Drought Hub is a one-stop online resource designed to help individuals, businesses and communities prepare for, manage and recover from drought.
The Drought Hub provides practical tools, up-to-date information and support services to help people at every stage of drought.
You can use the NSW Drought Hub to:
- Prepare your property and business for drought conditions
- Track seasonal and climate conditions over time
- Manage farming, land and business operations during drought
- Access financial assistance and support programs
- Support personal and family wellbeing and safety
- Care for livestock during dry conditions
- Rebuild and recover following drought
Visit the NSW Drought Hub