OFFICERS from the Bathurst Jail have again volunteered their time to co-ordinate and deliver water to families out west doing it tough in the drought.
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This year officers from the Bathurst, Kirkconnell, Lithgow and Macquarie Correctional Centres have been spending their time off-duty carrying out a series of water deliveries to outlying NSW towns across the state.
They've just returned from a drop off to Bourke, where organiser, Wayne Cole, said locals were very pleased to see them.
"We combined our efforts with a group called Dignity Water and delivered 30 pallets to the far west.
"Sixteen of these pallets were from Corrections Staff from Kirkconnell Correctional Centre, Bathurst Community Corrections and Security Operations Group, plus donations from the Bathurst Community."
In total 24 pallets went to Bourke and were distributed to the locals.
Mr Cole said those too old to get to the drop off point had water delivered to them.
"Water donated from Security Operations Group was unload at Bourke Hospital for patient use only; that's how bad the town water is," he said.
One pallet was dropped at Byrock, two and a half pallets were dropped at Coolabah and another two and a half pallets were dropped at Girilambone.
Speaking with the locals in Bourke, Mr Cole said they stated that they have to buy water two to three times week for their families.
"The town water is very high in salt, even boiling it doesn't make it any better. This is adding financial stress to the families, $60 to $70 is being spent a week on water.
"The communities were extremely thankful for the water and asked when will we be back," he said.
To date NSW Corrections staff have transported over 100 pallets of donated water to the towns of Mendooran, Walgett, Brewarrina, Menindee and now Bourke and surrounding townships.
Mr Cole said access to clean drinking water is a basic human right and it's terrible to think communities out west don't have this.
"These people deserve the same right as all others in NSW," he said.