Warrumbungle Water
The core function of Warrumbungle Water is the provision of water supply to connected properties in each town across the Shire. There are potable water supplies in the towns of Baradine, Coonabarabran, Binnaway, Coolah, Dunedoo and Mendooran, and in the villages of Kenebri and Bugaldie. A non-potable water supply is available in the village of Merrygoen. Non-potable water supplies are available in the village of Merrygoen and along Timor Road in Coonabarabran.
Warrumbungle Water services 3,160 connections across the Shire.
Public and Environmental Health
The provision of water services is managed to be economically and environmentally sustainable, meeting quality standards expected by the community. The State Government requires Warrumbungle Water to demonstrate compliance with best practice management guidelines as per the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines, and reports town water quality test results to NSW Health regularly.
Visit our Monitoring Drinking Water page for information on how safe potable water is delivered to towns across the Warrumbungle Shire.
Drinking Water information may also be found at NSW Health.
Non-potable Supplies
The users along Timor Road in Coonabarabran and in Merrygoen are reminded that their supplies consist of untreated raw water. This is either sourced from Timor Dam or groundwater bores in Coonabarabran and from Castlereagh River at Beni Crossing in Merrygoen.
Raw, non-potable water is only intended for outside use (e.g. gardening) – as water restrictions permit – and toilet flushing and may be acceptable to use for the washing of clothes. It should not be used for drinking, cooking or personal hygiene such as bathing or showering. The NSW Health website provides further information on this matter for water sourced from surface water and water sourced from groundwater.
NSW Health advises that a properly maintained rainwater tank can provide good quality drinking water; for further information on rainwater tanks visit the NSW Health Website.
Council’s website also contains information on rainwater tanks. Empty household rainwater storage tanks can be topped up by engaging a water carter to deliver water from Council’s standpipes off the reticulated town water supply.
Local Government Alliances
Warrumbungle Shire Council is part of the Orana Water Utilities Alliance, comprising 11 Councils across central west and western NSW. The Alliance aims to assist member Councils to adopt best practice management of water and sewer services.
How are costs recovered for Warrumbungle Water?
Warrumbungle Shire Council provide residents with water services throughout the Shire. Council is required by legislation to make an annual charge for connection to a water supply and for consumption of water, measured on a volumetric basis, during the course of that financial year. The water consumption fees for 2024/2025 are $3.97 per kilolitre, and the annual water connection charge is $744.00 per property.