Minister for Water Rose Jackson has called for a “reset” on river management, but stopped short on outlining a precise plan for Walgett’s water problem.

Minister Jackson visited Walgett on Friday 29 April to get a first-hand perspective.

"Our river systems are very sick and that is the result of decades of inaction," Ms Jackson said. "We do want a reset on how our rivers are managed."

She said the Government was looking at “sweeping water reform in the new government”, including enforceable limits on water extraction.

Following Friday’s meeting - where several of the town’s residents spoke, the Minister announced that Walgett's water supply would be switched from the bore back to the river by Wednesday as a "short-term" measure. The Government is still formulating what it will do long-term.

The Dharriwaa Elders Group have asked for enforceable extraction limits, higher penalties for water theft, a priority for end-of-system flows, an annual independent audit of water management, and a maximum of 20 milligrams per litre of sodium for Walgett's drinking water.

Roy Butler MP, local residents and council staff met with Minister Jackson when she was in Walgett. PHOTO: facebook

Aboriginal organisations earlier this month said they were worried about water quality in Walgett, with a recent survey through UNSW finding 90 per cent of residents were also concerned.

Vanessa Hickey of the Dharriwaa Elders Group welled up in tears at the meeting as she said she could remember swimming in the Barwon and Namoi Rivers as a small girl, back when the system was full of yabbies which are now no longer there.

“I promised Walgett residents that I would put their concerns about water quality front and centre and that’s what I am doing,” Minister Jackson said.

Minister Jackson watches local water sampling. PHOTO: facebook

“The local community has said loudly and clearly, over a long period of time, that water quality and security is on top of their priority list, and I want them to know I am listening carefully and take everyone’s views seriously”.

"It is not good enough to have local communities facing this level of uncertainty regarding the water quality and security," Water Minister Rose Jackson said on Friday, after visiting the town.

"We need to do more and that is why I am here today to make sure this happens."

The town's water treatment plant has not been able to reduce turbidity and blue-green algae in the Namoi River, forcing the town to rely on poor-quality bore water for the past five years.

The high sodium levels in the bore water have been deemed unsafe for people with chronic illnesses in the area including those with kidney problems and high blood pressure.