A community forum next week will let residents of Broken Hill speak directly to NSW water minister Niall Blair.

Locals are worried about their long-term water supplies, as an ongoing shortage threatens the liveability of the rural city.

The authorities say they have secured a short-term supply for Broken Hill, which will see bore water in use until at least 2019.

Meanwhile, the Department of Primary Industries says it is drawing up a business case for a permanent fix.

DPI spokesperson Gavin Hanlon has told the ABC that the information session at will include an update on that process.

“There's a whole series of gateways you've got to go through with governments after developing a business case,” Mr Hanlon said.

“The first gateway is looking at all the options and developing a preferred list of two or three which you can then develop out further.

“Most of the options have been spoken about before, whether they be pipelines from the Murray or different options.”

Mr Hanlon says Broken Hill's water issues are particularly complicated.

“The complexity of Broken Hill and its relationship with the Menindee Lakes is that there's nothing else like that in New South Wales.

“So that's why we're taking time to make sure we get this decision right.”