Despite Chief Minister Michael Gunner throwing his weight behind the cause, Katherine will remain on strict water restrictions this year. 

Last month, Mr Gunner told the Katherine Times he would ask the Department of Defence to deliver the much needed treatment plant early, in light of the poor wet season. 

In a response this week, however, the Chief Minister's spokesman said an early release date would not be possible. 

More Reading: PFAS in Katherine - a grim timeline

"At the Chief Minister's request, the Department of Chief Minister has urged the Department of Defence to deliver the treatment [plant] as soon as possible, preferably early," the spokesman said. 

And as Katherine residents have long been told, "it's on track to be installed in December 2019."

By the end of this year, Katherine residents will have been on strict water restrictions for three years. 

Many are concerned about the tough year ahead following an abysmal wet season, as the town will have to rely on the current treatment plant, which only treats one megalitre of water a day.

Last year, senior Power and Water officials said a treatment plant 10 times the size of the emergency plant now operating in Katherine was needed.

The Department of Defence has already agreed to pay the expected $14 million for the 10-megalitre a day plant.

But no deal has yet been signed for the purchase of the plant, to remove PFAS chemicals from all the town's drinking water, although water officials insist work will start on its installation by the end of this year.

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