Frequently asked questions - drought preparedness

Water restrictions are applied based on local water supply levels, not drought declarations. 

Under Council’s Drought Management Plan, the different levels in water restrictions are dependent upon the amount of water available in storage for each town. 

For information about water supply and sources in our region, visit: Where does your water come from | Goondiwindi Regional Council 

Council is currently reviewing its Drought Management Plan, which includes reviewing water restriction levels, and the corresponding amounts of available water supply to trigger each level.  

Residents will be notified of water restrictions before they are implemented.

Council prefers to work with the community regarding water restrictions and takes an education-first approach. 

Council will follow up any reports of water restrictions breaches with a site visit by an authorised Council officer, and where appropriate, the offender reminded of the water restrictions.  

Subsequent offences will be investigated by the authorised Council officer, and may result in an infringement notice and fine being issued to the individual in breach of the water restriction in accordance with section 43(5) of the Water Supply (Safety and Reliability) Act 2008. 

Council has a water use calculator available online which may help residents calculate their water usage: Water Usage Calculator | Goondiwindi Regional Council 

Waterwise Queensland also has a handy home water audit available online: How much water is your household using? 

Conserving bore water matters, too. Groundwater is not an unlimited resource.  

Overuse can lower the water table, impact surrounding ecosystems, and increase the risk of drawing up salt or other unwanted minerals. It can even lead to ground movement over time. Using water carefully helps protect this vital resource for the long term. 

Water remains a precious resource - and every resident plays an important role in using it wisely.  

Water restrictions are applied based on local water supply levels, not drought declarations. 

The Goondiwindi Region is in a strong position thanks to Council's significant investment in water security over recent years. We currently have reliable town water supplies across the region. 

This means our region may not have water restrictions in place, even if neighbouring local government areas do (and despite having received similar amounts of rainfall). 

Water restrictions do not reflect how dry the conditions are – they reflect how much water is available in our supplies.  

You can find suggestions and resources online to help reduce water use: 

• Water Sustainability | Goondiwindi Regional Council
• Waterwise home - qld.gov.au 

Council has implemented a range of strategies across the region to reduce water usage where we can, to ensure we are using water responsibly across community facilities and infrastructure, including sports grounds, parks and gardens.  

Some of these efforts include: 

• Council has been budgeting an amount each year to upgrade irrigation systems to both increase water efficiency and limit the incidence of leaks and failures.  
• In February 2025, Council installed 70 new underground pop-up sprinklers at the Reg Saunders Memorial Oval (Texas Sports Complex) to replace the old manual travelling irrigator and improve efficiency. 
• In February 2026, Council installed a similar automated underground system at the MacIntyre Sports Complex main field to replace the old a travelling irrigator and improve efficiency (previous system had to water during the day). 
• Regular inspection program for public amenities to ensure minimal leakages and conservation. 
• Installation of remote sensing technology on stock route troughs and tanks for consistent monitoring for leakages etc. 

Council recognises the importance of maintaining vibrant and welcoming town centres, which includes maintaining attractive parks and gardens.  This is especially importance for community wellbeing – especially during drought. 

If you notice a leak or water issue from a Council asset, please contact us as soon as possible.

Bore water is used in many town water supplies regularly throughout Australia.  

In Goondiwindi, Texas, Talwood and Yelarbon there is bore water blended with river water all year round. All water supplied to the community is continuously monitored and tested to ensure compliance with the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines and Council's Drinking Water Quality Management Plan. 

The proportion of bore water used varies across locations following regular testing at each site.  

We know residents prefer to see lower blend rates - Council's water operations team manages the amount of bore water blended into each community's water supply based on a range of factors, including: 

1. Water licence allocations and water availability 
2. The quality and turbidity of source waters, which can vary depending on stream flows 
3. Operational requirements at treatment plants - some facilities perform more effectively at higher or lower blend ratios depending on the characteristics of the source water 
4. Maintenance and asset management requirements, including temporary interruptions as well as ongoing operation of groundwater bores to keep them in good working condition.  

In Goondiwindi, Texas, Talwood and Yelarbon there is bore water blended with river water all year round. Council publishes bore blending rates for these towns each month (under ‘Bore Blending’): Where does your water come from | Goondiwindi Regional Council 

Inglewood’s water is sourced from Coolmunda Dam, and there is currently no bore blending. The townships of Bungunya and Toobeah are not connected to treated drinking water supplies and rely on non-potable schemes (not for consumption). 

Bore water naturally absorbs high concentrations of underground minerals. At higher blend levels, you may notice a heavier, slightly metallic, or ‘mineral’ flavour compared to rain or river water. 

However, there can be a number of reasons why your water tastes, smells, or looks different – including environmental changes (i.e., flooding, droughts, etc.). These also impact the way Council has to treat the water, which can lead to differences in the taste and smell. 

If your water looks cloudy or tastes different, it may be due to temporary changes in the water supply or maintenance work. Run the tap for a few minutes to see if it clears up. If the issue persists, contact Council for assistance. 

Bore water is typically ‘harder’ than surface water. At higher blend levels, you may see a chalky white buildup form on showerheads, tapware, and inside your kettle.  

Iron oxidization can occur leaving reddish-brown or orange streaks on porcelain sinks, toilets, and light-coloured laundry. 

Inglewood’s water is sourced from Coolmunda Dam, providing a reliable supply for residents.  

In 2021, Council drilled three test bores in Inglewood to map groundwater viability and provide a supplementary long-term supply for the town. The test bores (up to 350m deep) were the first known bores of this depth in the area – previously, no local bores have been drilled to depths greater than 100m, and those shallow bores had a minimal water supply. 

The trial was successful, with Council establishing a new bore in Inglewood that is ready for use but not yet connected. Council is now preparing a business case to determine whether the costs of connecting the bore (and the ongoing maintenance and operational costs of that connection) outweigh the costs of carting the bore water during drought periods. 

While the Queensland Government may declare a drought in acknowledgement of dry conditions, this does not necessarily reflect how much water is available in our supplies. 

The Goondiwindi Region is in a strong position thanks to Council's significant investment in water security over recent years. We currently have reliable town water supplies across the region. 

No. Water restrictions and drought declarations are assessed separately. 

Water restrictions are applied based on local supply levels - not drought declarations. 

Bulk potable water can be accessed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, via Council’s water filling stations located in three convenient locations within the region: 

• Goondiwindi - Council Depot, West Street 
• Texas - Council Depot, Flemming Street 
• Inglewood - Lions Park (Brook Street side)  
• Talwood - coming soon. 

All water filling stations have user friendly instructions located on the front panel.  

The water is potable - Council gives no guarantee of the drinking water quality once collected. Council encourages residents to engage an accredited drinking water carrier. 

Contact Council for more information about accessing bore keys for non-potable water in Toobeah and Goondiwindi. 

You can find an information sheet about bulk water here: Water-fill-station-information-sheet.pdf 

All water filling stations have user friendly instructions located on the front panel.   

You can find further instructions here: Water_fill_station_instruction_for_use.pdf 

Please see Council’s Cost Recovery Fees and Charges (‘Potable water fill’). 

Users can pay with credit cards for casual use or apply for a prepaid card for frequent needs. Cash is not accepted. 

For more information, see: Water-fill-station-information-sheet.pdf 

Council operates five potable and two non-potable town water supplies. The townships of Bungunya and Toobeah are not connected to treated drinking water supplies and rely on non-potable schemes (not for consumption). 

Council’s bulk water stations are available for residents with non-potable water (including rural properties) to haul their own clean drinking water. 

While Council acknowledges community interest in treated drinking water supplies, extending potable water infrastructure to smaller townships involves substantial establishment, operational and ongoing renewal costs. These investments must be carefully weighed against the number of residents who would benefit and the resulting impact on ratepayers.  

Council will continue to review opportunities and future funding options as they arise.