TAMWORTH Regional Council won't be bearing any cost associated with cleaning-up a groundwater supply contaminated with fuel.
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The council is drilling two "monitoring bores" this week to get a clearer picture of the fuel contamination in Duri.
The small village south-west of Tamworth is not connected to the city's water supply with residents relying on bores and rainwater.
The council has urged residents to avoid using bores on their property as the work to extract contaminated water and soil continues.
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It could prove to be a lengthy process, but the council won't be bearing any cost, according to compliance manager, Ross Briggs.
Mr Briggs said the underground fuel tanks which leaked into the water table belonged to a local store which will be stumping up for testing and reparations.
Mr Briggs said there was a lot of work to be done before fuel would be stored and sold in Duri again.
"I think that's a question for a long time down the track," he said.
"We would need to have serious talks about any plans for that."
The fuel leak was discovered more than a month ago and it is still unclear what caused the contamination.
When asked whether it was due to the fuel tanks' old age or shifting earth around the tanks, Mr Briggs said he couldn't comment.
"We have done testing on the underground fuel tanks and found at least one of those tanks has failed," he said. "Both tanks have been removed."
The number of properties affected by the spill was unclear, but the message to locals to refrain from using bores was clear.
"We have got a few households that have got levels of fuel in their bore-water," Mr Briggs said.
"They have converted over to using rainwater for as much as they can. "The less the bores are being used, the less chance of more contamination through the aquifer."
The council has provided water to several residents who relied on bores to water stock.
What work has been done?
Ongoing testing is helping to monitor any movement of the contamination.
Current test results are revealing a continued reduction in the level of contamination, which indicates the source of the fuel is no longer present.
Mr Briggs, said staff members have visited the owners of bores in the affected area.
"It has been explained to them that due to time it takes between when a sample it taken and the analysis taking place, it is possible for contamination to move to areas previously unaffected," he said.
"Water samples are sent to Sydney for analysis and have a two-day turn-around, even when they are requested as being urgent. "
Mr Briggs asked all owners of bores in the affected area to stop pumping water from them with the aim of preventing spread of the contamination.
"It is understood that some bores are directly attached to households for toilet flushing," he said.
"At this time this use is allowable because stopping this use will require re-plumbing and significant alteration to pipework.
"The main message that we would like understood by bore owners is that if you are pumping large amounts of water it is possible it may draw contamination towards your bore and move the groundwater contamination towards your property."
School safe
The council assured the community the Duri Public School water supply - a bore water tank - had been tested and isolated from the groundwater supply.
There was no contamination found in the bore tank at the school, but as a precaution, the tank has been disconnected from the groundwater supply.
Council has kept the school and the NSW education department informed about the issue and has committed to work with them to ensure its students have the water they need for drinking and hygiene.
"Council appreciates the cooperation and understanding of Duri residents as we work with them and other agencies on solutions to the contamination," Mr Briggs said.
"The health and wellbeing of residents will continue to be our top priority and we are working closely with the EPA and NSW Health to manage the contamination."