Investigating water security options for Warren

Warren is on its way to greater water security thanks to an investigation that will help firm up drinking water supplies and strengthen its defence against drought.

Delivered by a $1.1 million investment from the NSW Government in partnership with Warren Shire Council, the options study will carefully consider reliable long-term water solutions while improving the taste and clarity of water for its 1,400 locals.

It will explore opportunities for new infrastructure, upgrades to existing facilities, additional storage, the potential to add treated river water into the mix as an alternative supply and enhanced water treatment processes.

Warren currently relies on bore water, which is sourced from two fields at Ellengerah and Bore Flat that is treated by an advanced chlorination system before it’s piped to residents.

This new investment comes on top of $1 million from the NSW Government for a 4-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.

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.

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.

The NSW Safe and Secure Water Program supports up to $1 billion worth of regional projects across the state, with more than 260 in various stages of delivery.

NSW DCCEEW Executive Director Infrastructure Development Lisa Hingerty said: 

“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.

“We learnt a lot of lessons in the last dry spell which is why the NSW Government is working proactively with towns like Warren to invest in projects that will put locals on the front foot so they are able to manage their resources more effectively.

“From new and upgraded infrastructure to exploring alternative water supplies and increasing storage, this study will determine what the best outcomes are for the community.”

Warren Shire Mayor, Greg Whitely said: 

"This project is an important first step to better understand how we can safeguard our water resources for future generations and supercharge the quality of our 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.

“It’s exciting to see this project getting underway and bringing us closer to mapping out more secure and sustainable water options.”