Editorial: The Leader's Water Pressure campaign beginning to pay off

So far, we've published more than 180 water-related stories in less than five months, with many of them focused on upgrading Dungowan Dam.

Obtaining funding for the Dungowan Dam upgrade was one of the key goals we set when launching the Water Pressure campaign in June.

To be honest, I never thought we'd get the whole thing funded - almost half a billion dollars. I'm taking this as a big win for regional journalism.

I know dams aren't the silver bullet to our water woes, but they're an important part of the solution.

But the campaign doesn't end here.

There are still a torrent of unanswered questions, first and foremost, who will own the new dam? Politicians from all levels of government have been dodging this question. If it's owned by council, you beauty, all that water is reserved for the city of Tamworth.

If it's owned by the state government, then the water will be an asset to be divided and sold off, once again leaving residents, irrigators and other big water users fighting over the precious resource.

The other big question is, what happens to the old Dungowan Dam? There are whispers of decommissioning it, which begs the question, why? It's become crystal clear that more water (and water storages) is always better.

There are other important topics to delve in to, such as utilising recycled water to supplement our supply, and other projects to follow, like the progress of Tamworth's $38-million emergency pipeline.

If there's a water-related topic or issue you'd like us to investigate, explain or look in to, drop us a line at mail@northerndailyleader.com.au or call the newsroom on 6768 1200.

*Jamieson Murphy is an Australian Community Media journalist with the Northern Daily Leader, and a big fan of water.