Walgett Shire Council is pumping two new projects through the pipeline to improve Lightning Ridge's water supply, a move some residents say is long overdue.

The council is planning on releasing a tender to replace a bore water supply pipe this week and will continue pushing for further funding for the water cooling system.

Prospects of an upgraded water system has circulated the Walgett Shire Council's table since around 2017.

The new bore water pipe will replace an existing section of the current line into Lightning Ridge.

The Walgett Shire Council meeting in December heard the prevailing soil conditions and old age has led to the deterioration of the pipeline.

Now, multiple leaks in the pipe make repairs impractical.

The replacement will improve the long term security and reliability of the town’s water supply.

Following the pipeline upgrades, the Walgett Shire Council is continuing the chase for government funding to finance a water cooling tower to prepare the town's water supply.

This process brings Lightning Ridge up to NSW Health requirements for safe drinking water.

The process will continue to keep fluoride out of the treatment process, but the new system will incorporate chlorine to disinfect and treat the water supply.

The addition of the water-cooling process will minimise the foul smell and taste of the town's water supply.

Mayor Jasen Ramien said these projects are essential investments in the future of Lightning Ridge.

“Water security is absolutely critical for Lightning Ridge residents, businesses and visitors.

"The new bore water pipeline will make our system more reliable and resilient, while the cooling tower and chlorination project will help us meet modern health standards and improve the quality of the water that comes out of people’s taps."

The upgrades follow years of community complaints about the bad smell and taste of the bore water.

The Great Artesian Basin's bore water supply containing naturally occurring hydrogen sulfide, which gives the water a rotten-egg odor.

Community member Katherine Deisenberger says there are times when her entire bathroom stinks due the shower water.

"I'm a local so I am very much used to it, but tourists might have a different opinion."

She says the water can have a 'chemical' taste and smell at times.

Katherine says it is time for an upgrade in the water supply.

One anonymous source says they refuse to drink the water altogether.

Another community member, Vicky Forward, has some concerns about the construction period of the new water pipeline.

"I don’t know how they're going to not interrupt the water system while they upgrade it," she says.

The council plan to fill the tanks prior to undertaking any tie-in works, to avoid disruption to the town water supply.

The new pipeline tender for design and construction was released in the final days of 2025, while the funding for the coolant system funding is expected to be confirmed mid-2026.