Kristin Murdock
02 February 2025, 8:20 PM
The quest for improved water security in Warren Shire has been boosted by over $1 million in government funding which aims to investigate reliable long-term water solutions.
Warren currently relies on bore water, which is sourced from two fields at Ellengerah and Bore Flat and treated by an advanced chlorination system before it’s piped to residents.
“We know Warren is at risk when it comes to severe drought which is why we are throwing our support behind this project to look at the most feasible solutions for helping the local community tackle the impacts of climate change by locking in greater water security,” NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water Executive Director Infrastructure Development Lisa Hingerty said.
Acting General Manager of Warren Shire Council, Stephen Glen, told Western Plains App they will look at a variety of options to increase water security such as additional bore fields, off-river storage, and water treatment plants to treat river water that will then be blended with bore water.
“The inclusion of treated river water into the drinking water supply would require the construction of at least one water treatment plant,” Mr Glen said.
“The current funding covers the investigation, review, and concept design for the outcomes of the project.
"Council would require additional funding to construct the identified solutions.
"These funds may be available through the State Government Safe and Secure Water Projects Grants or Federal funding as it became available.”
This new investment comes on top of $1 million from the NSW Government for a four-year groundwater project that has boosted the region’s drought resilience by giving firefighters access to bore water for emergencies whenever the Macquarie River is low or has no flows.
Acting General Manager of Warren Shire Council, Stephen Glen is enthusiastic about new water security options for the Shire.
“Groundwater augmentation was developed to ensure the fire fighting and irrigation water supply to residents was maintained,” Mr Glen said.
“That involved the construction of a pipeline between Ellengerah Bore Field and Bore Flat Bore Field in Warren to allow water to be moved from one bore to the other as required as well as the construction of three cross connection points between the bore water supply and the river water supply so during times when we cannot draw water from the river, bore water can be diverted into the river mains to ensure that service is maintained.”
The project, which was completed in May 2024, included an advanced chlorination system and a 1ML reservoir at Bore Flat along with a 2.5km pipeline to connect the two bore fields.
Warren Shire Mayor, Greg Whitely said this new project is an important first step to better understand how to safeguard Warren’s water resources for future generations and supercharge the quality of the drinking water.
“We're extremely vulnerable to drought and rely solely on treated bore water so it’s absolutely critical that we look at whether river water is a viable alternative to diversify our supply and if improving our infrastructure stacks up,” Mr Whitely said.
“It’s exciting to see this project getting underway and bringing us closer to mapping out more secure and sustainable water options.”
Warren residents will be kept informed of progress via on Councils Facebook, Linked In and Website, as well as other media outlets such as Western Plains App.
The NSW Government is also investing more than $555,000 to help Council pull together a plan for water, sewage, and stormwater services over the next 30 years.
Work on the options study to help future-proof water for Warren will begin shortly and is expected to be complete in 2026.