A dry, frosty winter coinciding with the main canal shut down has depleted water supply and quality for MIA farmers and residents.
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On Tuesday, Griffith City Council confirmed town tap water is now being sourced from Lake Wyangan, despite the lake having an amber alert for the presence of blue-green algae.
Cotton farmer Helen Dalton, who has a water tank, said “blue-green algae is a serious health risk… I’m glad I don’t have to drink the tap water.”
While council assures residents the water is safe and rigorously tested, many are angry they weren’t warned beforehand, and wonder why a lake recently deemed unsafe for aquasports now provides drinking water.
Carmel La Rocca, a representative of both ratepayers and citrus growers said “council knows when there’s a problem with the water, they should advise residents so we can prepare. We have a right to know”.
Ms Dalton agreed about the need for more transparency, and said its time to spend the funds required to improve quality.
“There are better ways to manage Lake Wyangan to get better quality water. We have the expertise here to do it. I know it costs money, but it really needed to be fixed.”
Citrus grower Vito Mancini said his brethren are doing it tough.
“I don’t think anyone expected such a harsh winter. People may be surprised to know when its frosty, oranges need more water. Both farmers and residents have been using a lot more water than expected, so it’s a real struggle at the moment.”
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Mr Mancini said he believes Murrumbidgee Irrigation (MI) are working hard to resolve the issue, but would like to see them engage in more consultation with citrus growers before making decisions.
MI said in a statement to The Area News on Wednesday.
“We have worked closely, and constructively, with both citrus growers and the Griffith and Leeton citrus associations in the lead up to, and during, the irrigation shutdown to provide a winter watering for citrus customers.
“We have been doing everything we can to meet growers expectations, but this has proved difficult at times due to the dry winter.”
MI has cut off irrigation supply from the main canal since 26 May to enable upgrading of all major regulating structures.
MI advises water works will be complete by early August.
However, Mr Mancini said he has been told farmers won’t have full access to free flowing river water until the end of August.
Ms Dalton said all level of government – federal, state and local – need to get their act together to reverse declining water quality across the basin. She said future generations will suffer if governments continue to skimp.