Walgett's long-term solution will be a mixed water source with river water being used the majority of the time.   

The town began using river water on May 3 following a report from University of NSW (UNSW) experts and medical researchers from The George Institute for Global Health (TGI) have warned that the content of Walgett's water supply is 15 times higher in sodium than medical practitioners recommend for long-term consumption by people with severe hypertension or renal and heart issues.  

Walgett's water supply was switched back to bore water on June 22 while council workers were repairing the water treatment plant. 

"When I visited Walgett on May 29, one of my key priorities as the Minister for Water was to ensure the town had access to safe and secure water," Water Minister Rose Jackson told the Western Plains App. "On May 3, we started the switch from bore water to river water, and as of May 17, the town was successfully sourcing their water supply from the Namoi River."  

She said the switch back to bore water has occurred as Walgett Shire Council is currently awaiting the delivery and installation of a part that had broken - which is expected to arrive within the week.  

Minister Jackson also revealed what she expected to be the much-awaited long-term strategy to supply drinkable water to the town - a combination of both river and bore water depending on the circumstances. 

"The reality is that bore water will always be in the mix," she said.  

"The bores were installed to provide Walgett with an alternative water source to lean on during droughts and other emergencies such as bushfires and floods, and when there are issues with the river water treatment process." 

"There is less risk supplying water from the bore rather than the river while the plant is not operational as river water requires complex treatment to make it safe to drink," Minister Jackson explained. 

The implication seems to be that when the river water is not able to be used, the town will switch back to bore water - and that the reinstatement of a reverse osmosis plant will reduce sodium levels. 

The Western Plains App understands that the reverse osmosis plant was installed on Walgett's bore water source in early 2020 and ceased operating in September 2022. 

According to the recently released "Yuwaya Ngarra-li Briefing Paper: Walgett's Drinking Water" written by the University of NSW, Community Led Development and Dharriwa Elders Group, "References to the exact details of and reasons for closure are limited."

In the case study "A community in action: How Walgett is redefining food systems," the operation of the RO facility is referred to as 'unsustainable due to poor planning and local consultation resulting in unsustainable disposal of concentrate wastes." 

The paper also contends, "Water quality in the Namoi is often affected by industrial farming practices and the presence of blue-green algae (WSC, 2020). To maintain safe standards, it must be treated". 

The jointly written briefing recommends water fluoridation for Walgett and monitoring of E.coli and total coliforms. 

Rose Jackson. Image: NSW Labor. 

Minister Jackson told the Western Plains App her government is working to ensure "that towns have higher priority access to water than commercial licenses."  

Meanwhile, Member for Barwon Roy Butler has revealed that Namoi River was not used as a water source when the town was drinking high sodium water due to some council staff training issues. 

"The river water was not used in the last two years due to a lack of staff training which was not communicated outside Walgett Council. I attended a visit to Walgett by the water Minister where that was resolved via training and assistance from Sydney Water," Butler told the Western Plains App   

"There are a number of filtration and infrastructure issues identified, and these are under investigation and budgetary planning. I am in contact with the new Walgett GM regarding this process". 

Minister Jackson said, "We will continue to work closely with Walgett Shire Council to provide technical advice and expertise to help improve water quality for residents and to identify what other infrastructure solutions are needed to help future-proof their water supplies". 

She told the Western Plains they were listening closely to "the Dharriwaa Elders Group, and we know that we must do more to ensure that we're managing our rivers better".