Around 150 residents who rely on the town water supply at Rowena are being asked to boil their water for at least the next week after E coli was detected yesterday.

Walgett Shire Council routinely tests the Rowena water supply each Monday and on Tuesday were advised that the sample contained the harmful bacteria E coli.

2022 is proving a difficult year for town water supplies with communities as different as Dubbo and Quambone being affected in recent months. This is the second or third alert for Rowena this year.

Walgett Shire Council's Water & Sewerage Project Officer, Keshan Dharmasena said the cause of the latest outbreak it is not yet clear.

"We are in the process of investigating the overhead tank," Mr Dhamasena said. "We have checked the bore head and there are no problems with that and the filtration system is fine."

Council has also advised that the reservoir will be super chlorinated today while flushing of the mains around the town will take place over the next couple of days.

Water for consumption should be brought to a rolling boil. Water should then be allowed to cool and stored in a clean container with a lid and refrigerated.

Cooled boiled or bottled water should be used for:

1. Drinking, cooking, washing raw foods (such as seafood or salads), making ice, pet’s drinking water and cleaning teeth.
2. Dishes should be washed in hot soapy water or in a dishwasher.
3. Children should take bottled or cooled boiled water to school.

Follow up testing for microbiology will be carried out on Monday 15, Tuesday 16 and Wednesday 17 August 2022.

Residents will be notified of the results as Council has receives them and the boiled water alert can only be lifted once the water tests are clear for three consecutive days.

Council apologises to the residents for any inconvenience being caused during this time.