The NSW Government has committed an additional $4 million in funding to deliver critical new drinking water infrastructure for Narrabri.
The new funding for Narrabri Shire Council will deliver a portable water treatment plant to treat water from two PFAS-contaminated bores to a level that meets Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.
It will also support the investigation and delivery of new production bores to significantly increase town water supply.
“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,” said Minister for Water, Rose Jackson.
“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.”
PFAS was found in two of the town’s three bores in November last year and Narrabri Shire Council introduced water restrictions in early October 2025 when water demand began to increase.
In response to dropping reservoir levels, the NSW Government took the immediate step of providing the Council with $50,000 in emergency funding to deliver a new pump for the town’s operating bore, while working towards a long-term solution.
Fast and efficient to install, the new portable plant is expected to be up and running in a few months and will treat raw water from Narrabri’s existing bores to meet safe drinking water guidelines.
It is the same system currently being used at Sydney Water’s Cascade Water Treatment Plant in the Blue Mountains.
Combined with the newly-installed pump, the portable plant will boost water supply for Narrabri’s 7,000 residents while the NSW Government works closely with Council to look at converting two new test bores at Salesyard and Logan Lane into production bores.
“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,” said Member for Barwon, Roy Butler (pictured, centre).
“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,” he said.
