NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro has conceded that a federal royal commission into water may be necessary as desperate residents in far west NSW demand urgent action from the state government.

Mr Barilaro was visiting Menindee yesterday as the findings of the South Australian Murray-Darling Basin Royal Commission were delivered.

The extent of the latest fish kill on the Darling River at Menindee, as of Tuesday. DPI officials say fish deaths appeared to have ceased in the area for now. Credit:Graeme McCrabb

His office initially issued a defensive statement about the final report by Commissioner Bret Walker SC, saying the government would take time to "fully consider" the 746-page report, and that "the gloves are off when it comes to fighting for our water rights".

The joint statement with Primary Industries Minister Niall Blair said rural communities "need certainty" rather politically-charged inquiries.