One of two water standpipes provided by the Walgett Shire Council in Lightning Ridge to obtain water for domestic purposes may be removed.
The move comes following reports to council that in recent months the standpipe, located on Onyx Street, had been regularly used to wash vehicles.
Council's general manager,Vic North said there was a sign clearly stating this practice was not permitted.
He said the standpipe had never been designed for cleaning cars.
"What makes matters worse is that some of the vehicles, prior to being washed, had been used for kangaroo or pig shooting.
"So what happens, water contaminated with blood is piling up around the area," he said.
"It is polluting the environment, as well as creating a public health risk."
"At first we are going to monitor the situation."
Mr North said the standpipe would be patrolled by council's regulations officer.
"If people are still found to be washing their cars, they will be fined," he said.
"We don't want to take it further, but if it becomes necessary we will remove the standpipe to eliminate the health risks associated with this unacceptable practise.
"It has been solely placed there for domestic water and shouldn't be abused."
Meanwhile, mother of four, Debbie Willis, who has lived in the area on and off for about eight years and uses the standpipe on a daily basis, said it would be devastating for her and her family if the pipe was removed.
"We used to be able to get water from the standpipe at the Mobil service station, but that one has now been padlocked.
"That was some 16 months ago, but now it (the standpipe located opposite Mobil) is only for the trucks, and they have to pay for it too," she said.
Ms Willis said the standpipe in Onyx Street was currently the only source they had to obtain water from.
"Everything is slowly being taken away from us.
"When I first came here there was a hose and tap provided at the bore baths, but that too was closed off quite a while ago, which is when we started using the one at the Mobil," she said.
"I need this water supply for the kids so they can have a shower."
"Of course we also use it for the washing machine, air conditioner and cleaning the house, and it's our drinking water as well," she said.
Ms Willis said the news that council may remove the standpipe came as a surprise.
"I mean, I have seen one person washing their car here, but that's about it, even though I've heard of others talking about it, especially owners of 4WDs."
Ms Willis said she could understand why council had opted to remove it, if the situation didn't change.
"Alhough there is a lot of mud around, that's all right, but with the degree of animal blood and residue, it does pose a health risk," she said.
But Ms Willis said there were other options council could take as opposed to taking away their only water source.
"It'd be all right if council made the area cleaner, by maybe laying down a concrete slab, so the water could run off it and wouldn't create puddles," she said.
"If the pipe is no longer here, we're in real trouble, and so are a lot of other people."
She said the removal of the pipe meant that her family would need to purchase domestic water from one of the trucks.
"We can't afford that, it would cost us at least $60 every three to four weeks."
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