Heavy inflows into Quippoly Dam had the team at the water treatment plant working hard ensure safe water was being produced, but an equipment failure then hampered their efforts.

Cloudy water begun coming out of the plant, and staff quickly contacted NSW Health to get the alert put in place.

The equipment failure was fixed on Wednesday night, but the unsafe water had already made its way into the reservoir, which is why the alert cannot immediately be lifted.

Liverpool Plains Shire Council's director of Infrastructure and Environmental Services, Nathan Skelly, said residents must not become complacent even if the water appears to be okay.

"We were outside the guidelines with the cloudiness of the water and that is why the boiled water alert has been issued," he said.

"Residents may not notice the cloudiness of the water because the reservoir dilutes it."

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The plant was producing good results on Thursday, according to Mr Skelly, and the staff will continue to work with NSW Health to determine when it is safe to remove the alert.

Until that is the case, Werris Creek locals are advised to bring any water used for food preparation or drinking to a rolling boil so it is safe to consume.

After being boiled, it should be allowed to cool and then stored in a clean container with a lid in the fridge.

The council said bottled water - or the cooled-down boiled water - needed to be used for drinking, washing uncooked food like fruit and vegetables, making ice and cleaning teeth.

The clean water should also be used to fill up water bowls for pets.

Dishes can be washed in the tap water, but residents need to make sure it's warm and soapy.

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