Deputy mayor Libby Martin said unfortunately with all the storms firing up in this area, the rainfall was scattered and the inflow into the dam had not changed at all.

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"So, we need to encourage the community to continue to do the great job they're doing and be water conscious," she said.

"In these conditions, and with the way things are happening ... unless we get lots and lots and lots of rain there will be tightening of the water restrictions.

"The community has been really fantastic. We are in the process of identifying business and private high water users, and I think we will be cracking down on people who are not doing the right thing even more so."

Cr Ian Tiley said council needed to show leadership and set the target of a lesser consumption per day.

"It's an unprecedented time, it's a crisis that in my living memory we haven't experienced before," he said.

"We need to be listening to the community and embracing its ideas as to how we might achieve that.

"I'm quite sure that people in their daily lives are doing other things that should be shared with the wider community to help us all in this endeavour."

Cr Debra O'Brien considered the city had done very well.

"I think we're at the beginning of a whole new way with water," she said.

"We need to include all recycling technology because this is just the start.

"This is just the start and major changes need to happen."

Cr Dorothy Robinson congratulated the community on its water saving efforts, but said more could be saved

"Even 50 litres per person per day is achievable, according to our meter readings, and those of several other households," she said.

"Even simple strategies can save lots of water. Recycling grey water for the garden or flushing the toilet is easy and saves heaps. It's also easy to limit water flow to a hand-held shower by turning taps on only as much as needed.

As our climate is becomes more erratic, it's really important for Armidale Regional Council to meet NSW Best Practice water-pricing guidelines. We need to reward residents who do the right thing by saving our precious resource.

Cr Andrew Murat said every litre of water saved was another few days left in the reservoir.

"It just depends on how the community feels about supporting council to reduce consumption even further," he said.

"I don't think it is a major issue, it's a no-brainer."

Cr Brad Widders travelled during the Christmas break and said other towns he visited were aiming for lower consumption rates than Armidale.

"Their target per day is 100, sometimes 80 litres per person," he said.

"I think it comes down to our foresight and ability to manage it, so we can still live a good quality life when it comes to our water usage. It comes down to 'a litres saved is a litre for tomorrow'.

"I think if this is necessary we can do it as a community. Look at the difference we've made this year. I see some people post on social media that they're down to 70 litres per day."

Armidale Mayor Simon Murray said there were a lot of people using far less water than the target council was advocating, and a lower figure was very achievable.

"In Queensland, Warwick and Stanthorpe are on 80 litres per day and Toowoomba's on 175," he said.

"So, there's a widespread push to reduce water consumption due to this drought.

"It's a voluntary thing at the moment, trying to get residents to reduce their consumption, and council is very active trying to achieve that."

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