Walgett to have safe drinking water access after more than five years of bore reliance

Water Minister Rose Jackson says Walgett's water treatment plant — and river — have been neglected for years. (ABC Western Plains: Kenji Sato)

For the first time in five years, Walgett in north-western NSW is set to have access to safe drinking water — but a long-term staffing solution for the town's water treatment plant is yet to be found.

Since the Namoi River ran dry during drought in 2018, residents have been forced to rely on poorly quality, salty bore water, which locals have described as "slippery" and "filth".