The water is high in iron and is not for human consumption, but is within the limits for use by livestock. The water is free to access, but bring-your-own one inch (25mm) screw-on connection and hose.

NSW Agriculture Minister Adam Marshall officially opened the solar-powered facility last Wednesday afternoon. Tenterfield Shire Council is footing the $10,000 cost.

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Council warned that anyone using the water for lawns, gardens and other unauthorised use will be prosecuted.

Access is available only by vehicles 4.5 tonne and under, and the intention is that 1000 litre pods only will be filled.

Now that the livestock water facility is operating, council is gearing up to tighten Level 4.5 water restrictions so that stock troughs connected to Tenterfield town water will need to be turned off and stock water will only be accessed from the Apex Park bore.

Also as of Monday the dispensing station near the Council Depot in Riley Street has been turned off, to all but approved water carriers.

Those needing to purchase potable water will have to contact one of two council-approved water carriers: AB Contracting (Tina Bulmer on (02) 6737 3768 or 0413 452 998) or Graham & Sons (Col Graham on 0427 637 783).

"This has been a long time coming," Mayor Peter Petty, "but we can now extend the availability of clean, drinking water for our community, due to the availability of free water for stock purposes."

The change is estimated to reduce town water usage by three per cent.