This lake is on all counts as bad as it gets.

Horticulturalists especially citrus growers are using it and should wonder about its quality.

Griffith is described as the place to live, but apart from an indoor pool there is no place for water sports.

The smell in the town water taken from it is probably geosmin produced by cyanobacteria present at ‘amber’ and ‘red alert’ concentrations. 

Griffith residents and horticulturists are lucky that this incident has occurred, as it will focus their mind on what is going on with south Lake.

Using water from it is risky business. 

South Lake has a relatively steep intensive horticultural and urban catchment.

The slope speeds-up the movement of hundreds of different contaminants from human activity, and they variously find their way into south Lake.

This movement of chemicals reaches a peak during flooding rains and depending on their half-life and mixing of water, will end up in water pumped from South Lake and some will get through Council water treatment.

Council treats water and complies with standards set by government. A quick perusal of the list shows an absence of pesticides.

We do not know if these chemicals are in the water or not. Think about south Lake catchment. 

It has been supplying 100s of contaminants including pesticides for more than 50 years. South Lake water quality is as bad as it gets. This water should not be used for horticulture or as drinking/bathing water.

The PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE should apply to this water as recommended in the 2016 Melbourne Water, Lake Wyangan study (page 28).

Council and MI have a duty of care responsibility to all water users. The question of irritants/toxins produced by the many strains/species cyanobacteria present in Lake Wyangan is a major issue.

The question whether BMAA (a toxin) and other toxins produced by cyanobacteria are a potential risk factor for neurodegenerative illnesses (specifically motor neurone disease) has been hypothesised in the literature, and should seriously question use of this water. (Limnologist Dr Lee Bowling, and Water Technology 2016, pages 25-28). 

MI and Council should plan ahead and have safe alternative water, not questionably toxic, smelly and seriously irritant water.  

Geoff Sainty, Griffith.

I have read with great regret the front page of Monday's newspaper. 

I worked as a surgeon at Griffith Base Hospital for 35 years, retiring in 1990.

A most enjoyable experience working with a dedicated team ranging from matron to cleaners with pathologists, x ray staff, cooks and laundry staff and a hospital committee chaired by Frank Ellis. 

In 1995 disaster: Some decerebrate committee from Sydney or Canberra sent an individual to Griffith with multiple purpose. 

a) Get rid of kitchen staff b) Get rid of laundry staff c) Get rid of gardeners d) Get rid of CEO e) Get rid of surgical staff, Stephen Hayes and Vince Ferraro, by cutting down working hours in theatre. t) Get rid of blood bank. 

Now in 2017 orders from another committee similar to 1995 has been sent to decimate our pathology department. 

How incredibly stupid. You cannot run a hospital without a pathology team especially where they are as dedicated as our own team has been over a long period of time. 

In short, they are exhibiting the same decerebrate genes as their 1995 predecessors. IDIOCY?

I whole heartedly endorse Dr Jaya's suggestion of a mass community meeting. 

John Binks, Griffith.