Drinking water treatment is set to begin in a far northwest NSW town after the community expressed a lack of confidence in the water.
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Aboriginal organisations earlier this month said they were worried about water quality in Walgett, and a recent survey found 90 per cent of residents were also concerned.
"It is not good enough to have local communities facing this level of uncertainty regarding the water quality and security," Water Minister Rose Jackson said on Friday, after visiting the town.
"We need to do more and that is why I am here today to make sure this happens."
Water treatment operations will begin by the middle of next week along with ongoing training of the Walgett Shire Council's water operations staff, the minister said.
"I will be following the status of this closely to ensure there is no further delay," Ms Jackson said.
Researchers from the University of NSW and George Institute for Global Health have previously said sodium content of Walgett's water supply is 15 times higher than recommended for long-term consumption by people with severe hypertension or renal and heart issues.
The town of about 5200 has high proportion of Aboriginal residents, about one fifth of the population, compared to the NSW average of 3.4 per cent.
Walgett Aboriginal Medical Service chief executive Christine Corby said blood pressure, heart disease, kidney disease and diabetes were common health issues in the region.
"Unfortunately in our community there is a high incidence of chronic disease," she said.
"I believe this is going to worsen given the very real risks we know are associated with high sodium intake.
"I worry about people who have no choice but to drink straight from the tap and I worry about how many people are not having enough nutritious food to eat and how this will impact on their long-term health."
Locals also expressed concerns over water security, which the minister said was an ongoing risk in the remote area.
"There is no quick fix when it comes to water security in Walgett - I have already been making great headway in the short time I have been minister by fast-tracking solutions to address a lot of these ongoing issues," Ms Jackson said.
Australian Associated Press
