Duri fuel leak: Tamworth Regional Council to identify and monitor further potential fuel leaks around the region after two incidents

Councillors voted on Tuesday to provide water to residents of the small village with the help of the Department of Primary, Industry and Environment (DPIE) for the next 12 months after it discovered groundwater had been contaminated with petrol from the general store.

It's not the first time the council has had to cart water into a small community.

In 2016, a 400-litre fuel leak at the Woolomin general store poisoned the groundwater and forced residents to rely on water that was being trucked into the village daily.

Councillor Juanita Wilson expressed concerns about further fuel leaks, after it was revealed councillors had a workshop earlier on Tuesday to discuss identifying potential risks.

"I'm concerned these aren't the last two, there are so many other areas with potential of major disaster in the community and the one that concerns me most is Bendemeer," she said.

"There was a fuel depot for trucks on the way through and two very active service stations there near the Macdonald River.

"Is there any way that we can identify where they are, because I know there are several in Peel Street and around the CBD, so if we could prioritise some, is there a mechanism for monitoring?"

In the meantime, at least 12 households in Duri have been granted access to the Marius Street bore temporarily.

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A restriction will soon be issued by DPIE on the use of bores within a 500m radius of the general store.

The council will receive funds from DPIE Water to cover the cost of approved water carters delivering to Duri homes.

The amount of water expected to be needed is less than six kilolitres a day, which will cost council $4,500 each year.

Duri residents unaffected by the petrol leak will also be granted use of the Marius Street bore if they want to buy water while the restrictions is on in the village.