The plan outlined in the Council Agenda for July 22 suggests an upgraded treatment system for the existing Narrung Street Sewer Treatment Plant and diverting the sewage effluent to the lake at a potable standard.

Council general manager Peter Thompson said the plan was created in consultation with NSW state government as well as the community.

"We raised this solution at a community meeting at the Boat Club in recent months and a show of hands suggested it was an acceptable solution, provided the water was of high enough quality," he said.

The cost of the project would be significant, however Mr Thompson said there could be compensation.

"The cost of upgraded water treatment alone is estimated at $17 million, and then infrastructure to divert the water is dependent on how far we wish to stretch the pipes, whether that be just to Lake Albert, or further for better community benefit," he said.

"Even though this option is expensive, there is potential for the costs to be contingent on the NSW state government to cover all or some of the costs."

Unable to provide a estimated time frame should the project go ahead, Mr Thompson did suggest a ball park figure of 18 months going by similar past projects at other councils and said realistically, this option was the most effective.

In other news:

"Another idea to pipe water from the Murrumbidgee river was not feasible given the low level of the river and the water resources generally available for agriculture," he said.

"The reality is, if contrary to predictions and we have a wet period to fill the lake again soon, this particular issue will not go on the back burner until the lake is under threat again - it will go ahead so that it is ready when the time comes."

Bidgee Dragon Boat member Nic Carusella said concerns over water safety 'could not get any worse than it already is'.

"We're sitting in there with blue-green algae so anything that would get water in would be beneficial," he said.

"As long as the contaminants are reasonably tested, there's no issue, and they do put all of the results on the website so you can keep on top of it."

Mr Carusella said a full lake would mean the club's new facilities could actually get a run.

"We have our new shed, we have more boats so it would put it all to use if the lake was full," he said.

"We've started going in anyway just to get into the water but you have to walk in about 20 meters before it's deep enough to use."

Owner of Riverina Marine Centre, Petroulla McDonell, said more frequent use of the lake would keep the water moving and not stagnant.

"Lots of people have to travel to use their boats currently so it'd be great if they could do it during mornings, after work, on weekends, it would mean better use more frequently," she said.

The lack of use has put a strain on business in some ways, according to Ms McDonell.

"We draw on such a huge area, but it is an inconvenience for our service department who can't test the boats close by - they have to travel," she said.

"Seeing the lake back in its hay day is what we want ideally, and realistically it has always been a case of taking your life into your own hands with water quality so it really won't be too much of a difference with treated sewage water, it will meet regulations which is all that matters."