Coonamble's water treatment plant is unable to stand the pressure of the sharp increase in water use over recent weeks.

Between 13 and 27 January the daily water usage went up from 3.242 megalitres to 5.439 megalitres, surpassing the water treatment plant's maximum output of 5.4 megalitres. 

The usage has been further exasperated by multiple breaks in the water mains and leaks, including on 24 January and 30 January, leading to a decline in water pressure for residents.

Water Main Burst in Coonamble's Main Street. Photo: River McCrossen

"The water pressure has been really bad in the house and the whole yard since Tuesday afternoon," Coonamble resident Paul Baker said on Friday 31 January. 

"I don’t water the lawn during the day.

"Normally, you can have the hose going and have a shower but now, you can't do that."

On Facebook, other users shared videos of decreased water pressure in their household.

The Coonamble Shire council has asked its residents to reduce water consumption on Friday 31 January. 

The shire is asking residents to have shorter showers, not keep taps running while brushing teeth, seal leaky taps, and hand-watering lawns after 8pm and before 8am.

"Council apologises for this inconvenience and thanks the community in advance for their assistance with the challenge, especially for the next week," General Manager Paul Gallagher said in a statement.