Water Restrictions
Narrabri Shire Council manages six town water supplies across our Shire, including Narrabri, Wee Waa, Boggabri, Bellata, Gwabegar and Pilliga. To ensure a safe and secure water supply, Council may introduce water restrictions at different levels depending on water availability, demand, and supply security.
Water restrictions are designed to help our community use water wisely and protect our most essential resource. Restrictions are introduced in stages, from Level 1 (lowest) to Level 5 (highest), with each stage placing tighter limits on how water can be used.
Every drop counts, and every person matters — by working together, we can reduce demand, conserve supply, and avoid moving to higher levels of restriction too quickly.
On this page
Current Status
From 7pm Monday, 13 October 2025 Narrabri is moving to Level 3 Water Restrictions.
These restrictions are enforceable, and breaches can result in fines.
How are we tracking?
We provide the Namoi Street Reservoir level here each afternoon. The level provided is as at 3pm each day.
Namoi Street Reservoir Levels
| Date |
Level |
| 2 October 2025 |
57.57% |
| 3 October 2025 |
50.5% |
| 4 October 2025 |
49.51% |
| 5 October 2025 |
48.13% |
| 6 October 2025 |
43.71% |
| 7 October 2025 |
39.24% |
| 8 October 2025 |
38.74% |
| 9 October 2025 |
40.01% |
| 10 October 2025 |
60.09% |
| 11 October 2025 |
81.38% |
| 12 October 2025 |
79.61% |
| 13 October 2025 |
82.12% |
| 14 October 2025 |
82.17% |
What does each level mean?
Level 1
No official restrictions but the community is encouraged to be water wise every day.
Level 1 water restrictions are always in place.
Level 2
RESIDENTIAL
Garden watering: Watering between 7pm and 7am recommended.
Cleaning (footpaths, driveways, buildings, etc): Between 7pm and 7am recommended.
Swimming pools: Filling new pools requires Council approval; topping up existing pools is permitted.
Vehicle washing: Permitted any time with handheld hose or pressure washer.
COMMERCIAL
Lawns and Gardens (inc. racecourse, bowling greens and golf course): Watering between 7pm and 7am recommended.
Schools and Health Care Services: Watering between 7pm and 7am recommended.
Cleaning (footpaths, driveways, buildings, etc): Between 7pm and 7am recommended.
Washing of new or used cars for sale: Between 7pm and 7am recommended.
EMERGENCY SERVICES
Exempt from restrictions.
COUNCIL FACILITIES
Public Parks and Gardens: Watering to take place at night.
Public Sports Grounds and Playing Fields: Watering to take place at night.
Splash Park: Reduced operating hours (School holidays, public holidays and weekends - 12pm to 6pm, Weekdays during school term - 3pm to 6pm)
Level 3
RESIDENTIAL
Garden/Lawn watering: Watering only between 7pm and 7am, sprinklers allowed.
Cleaning (footpaths, driveways, buildings, etc): Between 7pm and 7am only.
Swimming pools: Filling new pools requires Council approval; topping up existing pools is permitted.
Vehicle washing: Bucket washing only.
COMMERCIAL
Lawns and Gardens (inc. racecourse, bowling greens and golf course): Watering only between 7pm and 7am.
Schools and Health Care Services: Watering gardens/lawns only between 7pm and 7am.
Cleaning (footpaths, driveways, buildings, etc): Between 7pm and 7am only.
Washing of new or used cars for sale: Between 7pm and 7am only.
EMERGENCY SERVICES
Exempt from restrictions.
COUNCIL FACILITIES
Public Parks and Gardens: Fixed hoses and sprinklers only allowed to be used 6hrs/day.
Public Sports Grounds and Playing Fields: Auto sprinklers 1hr/per line daily.
Splash Park: Reduced operating hours (School holidays, public holidays and weekends - 12pm to 6pm, Weekdays during school term - 3pm to 6pm)
Level 4
RESIDENTIAL
Garden watering: Handheld hoses only between 7pm and 7am.
Cleaning (footpaths, driveways, buildings, etc): Not allowed.
Swimming pools: Filling new pools requires Council approval; topping up existing pools is permitted.
Vehicle washing: Not allowed.
COMMERCIAL
Lawns and Gardens (inc. racecourse, bowling greens and golf course): Recycled water and handheld hoses only.
Schools and Health Care Services: Handheld hoses between 7pm and 7am only.
Cleaning (footpaths, driveways, buildings, etc): Recycled water only.
Washing of new or used cars for sale: Bucket washing only.
EMERGENCY SERVICES
Exempt from restrictions.
COUNCIL FACILITIES
Public Parks and Gardens: Fixed hoses and sprinklers only allowed to be used 3hrs/day.
Public Sports Grounds and Playing Fields: Auto sprinklers 1hr/per line every second night.
Splash Parks: Non-operational.
Bulk Water Filling Stations: Access reduced to one station per water supply.
Level 5
RESIDENTIAL
Garden watering: Bucket watering only between 7pm and 7am.
Cleaning (footpaths, driveways, buildings, etc): Not allowed.
Swimming pools: Pools not to be topped up or filled with town water. New pools not to be filled without approval from Council.
Vehicle washing: Not allowed.
COMMERCIAL
Lawns and Gardens (inc. racecourse, bowling greens and golf course): Recycled water only.
Schools and Health Care Services: Bucket washing only between 7pm and 7am only.
Cleaning (footpaths, driveways, buildings, etc): Recycled water only.
Washing of new or used cars for sale: Bucket washing only.
EMERGENCY SERVICES
Exempt from restrictions.
COUNCIL FACILITIES
Public Parks and Gardens: Handheld hoses only.
Public Sports Grounds and Playing Fields: Recycled water only.
Splash Parks: Non-operational.
Bulk Water Filling Stations: Access reduced to one station per water supply.
If you need an exemption from water restrictions, you can apply using the form below. Council will review your application and assess it on a case-by-case basis.
Exemptions may be considered for domestic, public, commercial, or industrial purposes. Applications must be made in writing and include clear reasons why an exemption is required.
Please note: if water restrictions are increased to a higher level, any existing exemption will automatically expire, and a new application will need to be submitted.
Water Restrictions Exemption Form
Why do we need water restrictions?
Water restrictions help manage our water supply during times of stress, whether from drought, high demand, or changes in water quality standards. They allow Council to prolong available water and ensure safe supply for essential use.
Why did water restrictions need to be introduced?
Narrabri’s town water supply has been impacted by changes to the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines, which reduced the allowable level of PFAS in drinking water. This has reduced the number of bores we can access and increased pressure on the remaining sources. Introducing water restrictions will help stretch supply.
What is Council doing to save water?
Council has applied the same guidelines to its own operations and, in some cases, is going even further by tightening irrigation and water use across public spaces. Our focus is on conserving as much water as possible.
Why do we continue to be on Level 3 water restrictions?
The hot weather has caused water use to increase, and our single operating bore can’t keep up with the uncapped demand when restrictions are not in place. Level 3 water restrictions will likely stay in place for the duration of summer.
What are you doing to fix the bigger issue?
The Mayor and General Manager are actively advocating with the NSW Government for a long-term solution. This issue is not caused by local mismanagement, but by legislative changes that limit how groundwater can be used. We need government action to secure a sustainable future supply.
We’ve also engaged water specialists to identify and implement long-term fixes. Some take time because of approvals, but we’re progressing them as fast as we can.
Why didn’t Council act earlier?
Water restrictions are based on set triggers to make sure they’re fair and effective. Bringing them in too early wouldn’t have helped much, and would’ve placed limits on residents for little benefit. The sudden rise in temperatures made the problem worse, but even if we’d introduced Level 2 a week earlier, we’d likely still be here now.
Why is the reservoir dropping so fast?
On hot days, everyone uses more water – on gardens, for cooling and cleaning. The bore can’t pump fast enough to replace that water, so the reservoir falls.
What is the fine for breaching water restrictions?
Under the Local Government Act 1993 - Section 637 (1) fines of $220 are applicable to breaches of water restrictions.
If you witness a water restrictions breach you can report it here.
Water Restrictions Breach Form