After a winter that barely lowered the thermometer, El Nino has officially been declared.

‘Preparation’ is emerging as the key message across Western Plains councils, as water supply becomes a priority. 

In Coonabarabran, residents are urged to be water conscious as water security weighs on the council’s mind while in Walgett and Cobar have different challenges.

“Council was able to secure some valuable funding during the last drought to help secure the water supply for not only Coonabarabran but also improvements for other communities throughout the Warrumbungle Shire, however we are not yet fully secure,” Warrumbungle Shire Council mayor Ambrose Doolan said. 

While Timor Dam - the town’s main water source - sits at 77 per cent capacity, an application to increase the usage of the bores was rejected. 

The Council holds a 50ML license for supply from the bores, one fifth of the capacity they applied for. 

“Staff have been persistent in following this up with the relevant Government Departments and we hope that soon an approval will be given for the additional allocation,” said Cr Doolan. 

Lessons learned from the last drought has seen similar preparation across Western Plains councils, with water infrastructure becoming a priority. 

From pipelines to water treatmentment plants and new bores, residents are relying on the new measures for water security in the coming years. 

In Walgett, where an investigation earlier this year saw residents were drinking water with concerningly high sodium levels over three years since the drought ended, councillors are feeling more positive about the next dry period. 

“Walgett’s got a bore. I’m hoping that we don’t get to the situation that we did before,” Walgett Mayor Jasen Ramien said. 

“Walgett has still got room for improvement…we’re having trouble with the bore in Lightning Ridge too. That’s the next thing on our radar, making sure that that gets fixed and replaced.”

Meanwhile, the recent NSW Budget revealed an upgrade in critical water supply infrastructure for Cobar, with $222.4 million in funding split between Cobar and three other towns. 

While funding has allowed a new 30 kilometres of pipeline to access water from new dams in the Bogan shire, Cobar Shire Council general manager Peter Vlatko said that there is 100 kilometres that still needs replacing.

“That’s our security, because once those pumps bust, it doesn’t matter what sort of pumps you’ve got, it’s going to be a bit difficult to continue to ensure that we get water to the town,” Mr Vlatko said. 

With the mines needing water to continue, Mr Vlatko is hopeful they might assist in funding the remaining pipeline.

In the last drought, Cobar was left considering carting water into the town on a train. 

“I’m very concerned…it’s only going to get hotter and hopefully we don’t run out of water. 

“Water should not be a problem in today’s society.”