Turning on the tap to fill a glass with water does not require a second thought when you live in the city.
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But in the remote town of Walgett in northern NSW, the water supply is critically low.
That’s why Dale Wright, whose parents live in Walgett, is calling on Illawarra residents to donate bottles of water to provide some much needed relief to a town in the midst of a water crisis.
“Two rivers have run dry,” the Albion Park resident said. “Two guys in Dubbo and Wagga Wagga have been collecting drinking water and doing runs recently.
“Now I’m asking my community to help so I can do the same.
“I’ve done a lot for the community down here in the Yuin nation and now it is time for me to help my mob back home in Walgett and I can’t do it alone.
“I’m asking people to buy a water bottles when they are at supermarket and drop it off to the Illawarra Aboriginal Medical Service in Dapto.”
Mr Wright is hoping a vehicle hire company will donate a truck so he can drive the donated water out to Walgett. The water will then be distributed to residents in the town.
Bore water that services the town has been deemed undrinkable because there is too much sodium in it.
Earlier this month, Walgett residents were left without water for a day after a breakdown at the local treatment plant saw water levels drop quickly.
It was another set back after months of hot, dry conditions. The town has been on level five restrictions since September.
“My sister said it has been very difficult,” Mr Wright said. “She fills up the bath tub with water so she doesn’t run out. My Mum and stepfather Mary and Kevin Kennedy are staying with me on a holiday but now they can’t go home until there is some water relief.
“People take water for granted. I noticed that when I saw a guy washing his car with a hose. I thought, ‘if only he knew how precious that water is’.”
Since putting the call out on Facebook last week, about 500 litres of water has been donated.
It is time for me to help my mob back home in Walgett and I can’t do it alone.
- Dale Wright
“The generosity of people has been overwhelming,” Mr Wright said. “It would be nice to get even more litres.”
Mr Wright, who works in the Aboriginal health industry in the Illawarra, thanked Charlie and Susie Kennedy who have coordinated the drive.
