Veteran scientist Geoff Sainty says the Barren Box Storage and Wetlands –  the MIA’s main irrigation and urban drainage water recycle point – is in crisis.

He is also concerned about bacteria levels in Lake Wyangan, and think it’s crucial that people are warned before water from the lake is sourced as tap water.   

“There is a well-known hypothesis that there is a connection between this bacteria and motor-neurone disease,” he said. 

Motor-neurone disease impacts on the nervous system, causing it to weaken muscles and impact on physical function.

Mr Sainty said Barren Box is “an ecological failure having lost most of its aquatic vegetation and food for many birds. Turbidity [haze] levels are extremely high.”

He said bacteria levels are high enough “to prohibit the use of the water for any human and animal purpose”. 

“The Barren Box Swamp re-design returned 20 000 ML of water per annum to the Snowy river. The sale of this Murrumbidgee water paid for the project. Can we get it back?”

Mr Sainty is now 83 years old and has more than half a century of experience in the field. He wants to see plants grown in the shallow ends of key water reservoirs to act as a filtration system. 

“Plants such as sago pondweed can act as competitors to bacteria in the water”. 

Griffith City Council said they are considering Mr Sainty’s views.

General Manager Brett Stonestreet said "Council has established a special purpose Committee to advise Council on future management of the Lake and its catchment, and to implement the Strategy now adopted by Council to improve water quality over time.”

“The Committee has been presented with Mr Sainty's opinion for consideration."

Murrumbidgee Irrigation (MI) CEO Brett Jones said that MI is actively working to support Griffith City Council in its efforts to improve the recreational and community amenity of Lake Wyangan. This includes supporting previous studies by independent experts.

But Mr Sainty says council and MI have shown over the past few years they are unwilling to utilise scientific expertise to needed to improve water quality.

“From an ecological standpoint, we have a scientific non-intelligent community”.

Griffith City Council and MI sourced tap water from Lake Wyangan during winter due to supply shortages, but assured residents it was mixed with better quality water, treated and safe to drink.