Billimari residents have raised concerns following the discovery of elevated levels of naturally occurring uranium in the village's bore water supply.
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Detections of elevated levels were first identified in December and additional samples were sent for confirmation testing.
Results in January confirmed that the levels are above the guideline value recommend in the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines for chemical toxicity, but it is below the level recommended for radiological toxicity.
Cowra Council released a statement on Monday reminding residents the non-potable water was still unsafe for human consumption, however animals could still drink the water.
READ MORE: Plans in place for Cowra's water supply
"Consumers are advised to not drink the water, or prepare food, freeze it for ice, clean their teeth or gargle with the water. The water can continue to be used for other household and external uses," Director of Infrastructure and Operations, Dirk Wymer said.
"Boiling the water or filtering it will not make it safe to drink.
"The uranium level is below the toxicity guideline level recommended for stock water in the Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality, and is therefore considered safe for animal consumption."
This however has not sat well with residents like Becky Thornberry, who finds it hard to believe the water is safe for her dogs.
"I've got a little Dachshund, if it affects my body, how is it not going to affect her tiny body?" she said.
Ms Thornberry, who has lived in the area for two and a half years, said she was also unaware that boiling the water did not make it safe.
"I've been having cups of teas since I've been out here," she said.
"Some days we've come home and the water is brown, it's just brown, it stinks some days, you can't even shower in it.
"It's more than just you can't drink it, it's the colour, the smell, it's everything."
She puts it down to a lack of communication from council.
"They didn't have signs up when we first moved out, then a few months later, they put them up, but we didn't get any notice or anything in the mail," she said.
"They did have a meeting last year about it with (Cowra Mayor, Councillor) Bill West but nothing come out of it.
"They put a notice in my door and that's it, they don't care. As long as they inform people that's all they've really got to do."
According to Cr West, "Council is working to replace the current bore with an alternative bore as soon as possible but want to first make sure it meets all regulatory approvals".
While many residents use tank water, Ms Thornberry said they are frustrated at the water rates, especially when she must buy bottled water each week in Cowra.
"We don't get any compensation, we still have to pay the full rate that people pay in town and they can drink it," she said.
"I know it's not a great big deal considering we are in a drought, but there's been nothing offered to us."
She suggested council place a water station or utilise a tanker to transport fresh water to Billimari on a regular basis.
"Canowindra's got the water stations, I can't see why they can't put a tank up in Billimari or just have a tanker of fresh water, anyone who wants to fill up tanks, you could fill up a shuttle and that would last a couple of weeks," Ms Thornberry said.
According to council, "the quality of the supply will continue to be closely monitored by Council and other authorities with advice and updates to be provided to Billimari residents when received".
For further information regarding the non-potable water supply, please contact Council's Director of Infrastructure and Operations, Dirk Wymer on (02) 6340 2070.
