Council General Manager Craig Moffitt said detailed examinations of the water supply would be carried out by consultants to assess the integrity of the potable water supply.

“We have had feedback about the impact of the chlorinated water on residents,” Mr Moffitt said.

“While we are complying with the best practice guidelines, Council is sourcing additional expert advice by engaging a number of specialists in this field.

“Based on their recommendations we will develop and implement an improvement program.”

A sample from one of the two bores in Darlington Point returned a positive Ecoli indicator back in March and since that time the town’s water supply has been chlorinated.

Mr Moffitt said a rigorous water quality program continued to be carried out.

“Council officers are testing water at the bore three times per day to ensure consistency,” he said.

“We are determined to ensure the water is of the highest standard possible.

“As part of these investigations we will also look into installing a gas chlorinator to ensure high level performance of the chlorination system.”

Darlington Point resident Stacey Maugeri said the water was still “putrid” back in July, avoiding the supply for consumption for most of 2017.

“It’s so bad I have to wash my clothes twice because they come out smelling when I wash them the first time.”

NSW Health and NSW Department of Primary Industries-Water have requested that the Darlington Point water supply be chlorinated to the following standards:

The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines requires the level of chlorine in drinking water should not exceed 5 milligrams per litre (five parts per million).

The water supply is chlorinated at levels required by the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines, with a monitoring regime provided by NSW Health and NSW Department of Primary Industries-Water.

Council says it will provide regular updates to the community on the progress made.