The council hopes to address the critical issue soon, with the option to either pump water from exiting bores in the township or sink a brand new bore in a different location.

Walgett Shire Council general manger Don Ramsland said while council had been discussing the options, they were yet to reach a final decision - despite having only between 70 to 90 days of water supply left in the shire.

While the Barwon River was yet to run dry, Mr Ramsland said it was only a matter of time before they would need to take immediate action.

"The appropriate measures will be in place by the time the river stops flowing," Mr Ramsland said.

This would see Walgett Shire turning to utilise water from drilled bores in the district.

When the Daily Liberal contacted Mr Ramsland on Wednesday, he said council had been negotiating with the relevant figureheads responsible for water bores in the region.

"We're in negotiations with those involved with a Walgett Shire bore and the Local Bore Trust," Mr Ramsland said.

"During those negotiations, council has been conducting tests on the water supply in those bores to ensure the quality is acceptable."

Mr Ramsland said there was a chance the salinity levels in the water could be alarmingly high.

If that was the case, Mr Ramsland said the council would be forced to sink another bore in a different location.

Armed with $2.2 million from NSW Minister for Natural Resources, Lands and Water, Kevin Humphries, Mr Ramsland said the council had the appropriate people on standby to drill the bore at short notice.

"If we turn to that option, it could take two to three weeks to complete," he said.

Mr Ramsland said while the residents of the Walgett Shire were optimistic with the water supply options, it still had not compensated for the lack of rainfall, with farmers in the region facing a third year without a crop and starving livestock.

"We will know more about the crops at the end of May," he said.