There has been concern from a New South Wales environment group over the intentions of Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt, calling on him to publicly commit to more thorough investigations of coal and gas projects near water supplies.

Some groups in the Hunter region are worried the new water protection legislation, known as the 'Water Trigger' may be employed as a tool for ulterior purposes, rather than an actual environment protection.

Environment minister Greg Hunt has already applied the controversial stipulation brought in by the Labor party, but wholeheartedly imposed by the new government. He has flagged dozens of projects, including the Drayton South project in the Hunter, as requiring further water investigation.

Steve Philips, a member of the landholders' rights group the Lock the Gate Alliance says assessments under the 'water trigger' are not comprehensive enough. He says the minister needs to do more to make sure water resources are not contaminated in the push for mineral ones.

“State legislation to protect waterways from coal mining and coal seam gas mining in NSW is inadequate,” Mr Philips said, saying he wants to minister to spell out publicly and clearly: “that if they don't pass muster, he won't give them the tick of approval.”

He has called for Environment Minister Greg Hunt to step up his protective measures for the vital water supplies, with companies having just one week left to make contributions and submissions on proposed new legislation.