Life is dry in Tomingley with the creeks and dams drying up and little water available for residents.
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In a joint venture between the council and the Tomingely Gold Operation (TGO), investigations are underway to find the best solution to the ongoing water problems.
A solution from the TGO Community Fund Panel is a rainwater tank for the 17 houses in the township.
The same panel has allocated $20,000 into a trust to save for the rainwater tanks.
Tomingley councillor Tony Ellis said the lack of water had nothing to do the Alkane-run TGO. He attributes the issue to drought problems.
"It's been that long since the creek has run there's no water in the dam and the gallery is just about to run out," he said.
"The creek used to run nine months a year and it hasn't run for years so it's always been a problem."
At the May Ordinary Council meeting, Cr Ellis said the water the Tomingley residents were getting was disgusting.
"We have to do something about the water situation down there because the water is putrid," he said.
"We have to do something about the water situation down there because the water is putrid,"
- Cr Tony Ellis.
Shire general manager, Greg Lamont said the mines were working closely with the houses to address the issues that had arisen since it had opened.
"The mines are working closely with every household because they're trying address noise problems that they've had since the mine has been operating,'' he said.
"In doing so they've engaged a third party engineering firm to assess each of the houses at the same time, they're looking at their water requirements and water needs."
The general manager said once the investigations had been completed the Tomingley Community Fund Panel and Advancement Association would decide the best solution for the Tomingley water crisis.
"The quality of water there is a problem council has had for a long, long time,'' he said.
"There's options there to look at and this is the opportunity to look at all our options," he said.
"It's a way of insisting the community understands that the council does care about the issues they have."
Cr Ellis said it was a council issue.
"It is a council problem, part of what ratepayers expect is water. It's a problem with source and supply," he said.
"They have carted water from Narromine to Tomingley before but that's an expensive option and we're not at that stage yet."
Cr Ellis said more money would go into the water trust.
"Next allocation we'll put more money into the trust. Hope we get a little rain until then," he said.