NSW Government announces $4 million funding boost to strengthen Narrabri’s water security

Narrabri is one crucial step closer to improved water security, with the NSW government committing $4 million to deliver a portable water treatment plant and new production bores for the township, said a media statement released by Narrabri Shire Council this week.

The statement highlighted how council has been ‘advocating for state support since earlier this year, when two of the three bores supplying Narrabri’s drinking water were shut down due to PFAS levels above the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines’.

Last month, Council received funding for its short-term solution – a new pump in the Elizabeth Street bore. This latest funding will make the identified medium-term solution possible. Council will continue progressing the long-term solution, a permanent water treatment plant, including consulting with the community, said the statement.

Narrabri Shire mayor Darrell Tiemens welcomed the announcement, acknowledging the support received from both the NSW government and the Local Member for Barwon, Roy Butler MP.

“We have been navigating this issue for over a year, so it is pleasing to see that Minister Jackson has listened to our concerns and recognised the need for urgent support,” Cr Tiemens said.

“I would like to thank the Minister for prioritising this matter and thank our local member, Roy Butler MP, for his support”.

The portable treatment plant will allow council to bring the Tibbereena Street and Killarney Street bores back online, ensuring that water from these sources can be safely treated before entering the network.

Council’s general manager Eloise Chaplain said the funding would help restore flexibility and resilience to Narrabri’s water supply system.

“This investment gives us options that we simply haven’t had in recent months,” Ms Chaplain said.

“We’ll be able to treat water from the affected bores, draw from new bores, and – most importantly – ensure that if any of our sources experience PFAS or other water quality issues in future, we have the ability to safely treat the water before it reaches our community,” said council’s general manager Eloise Chaplain.

Ms Chaplain noted that council must also consider the ongoing operational costs associated with new infrastructure.

“Council will ensure costs associated with this medium-term solution, such as the disposal of extracted PFAS, are minimised whilst remaining compliant,” she explained.

Council will provide a further update to the community once all relevant funding documentation has been received and a project timeline confirmed.

Level 3 water restrictions will remain in place until the portable treatment plant is operational.

Member for Barwon Roy Butler welcomed the funding.

“Since Narrabri Shire Council asked for help in September, there has been an intensive effort across multiple government departments to quickly find solutions for Narrabri’s drinking water problem,” he said.

“Such a quick turnaround would not have been possible without the support of the government and, in particular, Water Minister Rose Jackson.

“I welcome this $4 million commitment to solve the problem and extend my thanks to Minister Jackson and the NSW government.”

A statement released by Mr Butler’s office said the PFAS contamination in Narrabri’s drinking water supply will be ‘urgently addressed by the NSW government, with $4 million approved to upgrade Narrabri’s bores and install a PFAS water treatment plant’.

Mr Butler said, last week, he toured a PFAS treatment plant in the Blue Mountains to assess whether it might help solve Narrabri’s drinking water problems.

“The PFAS treatment plant is an off-the-shelf solution constructed in Newcastle in shipping containers, which makes it much quicker to install,” he said.

“Sydney Water was able to get this plant up and running in a matter of months to deal with an urgent PFAS contamination last year, and I’m confident we’ll be able to do the same in Narrabri.

“During my visit, Sydney Water also offered to share their expertise with Narrabri to make the installation process smoother,” said Mr Butler.

Mr Butler said he has helped facilitate a coordinated response with the EPA and the government departments responsible for water and health since Narrabri Shire Council asked for assistance in September.

They identified that one of the two bores that council had shut down was capable of supplementing Narrabri’s drinking water supply to prevent extreme water restrictions, said Mr Butler’s statement.

“Narrabri Shire Council doesn’t have the resources or the expertise to deal with a PFAS contamination on this scale,” he added.

“The first step was securing a safe water supply for the short-term, which we’ve been able to do through supplementing supply from a second bore.

“The next step is installing a PFAS water treatment plant, which has been shown to reduce PFAS to undetectable levels.

“Such a quick turnaround is only possible with government support, and I thank NSW Water Minister Rose Jackson for taking action so rapidly,” said Mr Butler.

NSW Minister for Water Rose Jackson said: “I was very clear that we would go the extra mile to help Narrabri respond to the PFAS issue and secure a more reliable water supply.

“Local member Roy Butler has also been a fierce advocate for his community.

“I recognise water restrictions have a big impact on residents, which is why we moved quickly to find a solution.

“We already put $50,000 on the table last month to fund a larger pump and now we are investing up to $4 million to get a mobile treatment plant up and running.

“Work has already started to find alternative bore sites that are free of PFAS and this funding will support that work, putting Narrabri in a stronger position to manage its water supplies,” she said.