Blood red water with a strange odour in their channels.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
This is what Murrumbidgee Irrigation (MI) shareholders Kel WIlliams and Amando Dissegna at the end of Lakeview Branch Canal are having to deal with.
After heavy rains two weeks ago, they have avoided using anything from the channel as much as possible, using what remains in their house dams while also purchasing water from town.
"We have been buying water from town for the house, and keeping stock away from it as much as possible, fencing it off," Mr Dissegna said.
"We pay the same money as other shareholders do, so why can't we have the same quality water?" Mr Dissegna said.
It's the question on Kel William's lips as well, however he is not about to take it lying down.
With the rain two weeks ago, he went outside to find three of his paddocks completely flooded.
Calling up the channel manager, he was told MI had to drop the water level for safety.
Mr Williams did not receive any phone calls or warning from MI that this was going to happen.
"I wasn't told that they had to open the drainage points on my farm," he explained.
"My property was completely flooded. All of that contaminated water is now in my channel, and it's not going away."
We pay the same money as other shareholders do, so why can't we have the same quality water?
- Amando Dissegna
He has been using water out of his house dam, and says he has a few weeks left for house use, and is watering his stock out of it as well.
His concern that while the colour is disturbing, there was the potential of contamination as well.
Griffith City Council's Lake Wyangan project manager Tom Ryan visited his property on Friday and is sending off a sample for testing, with the results expected in the next few weeks.
READ MORE
An MI representative came out to take photos as well, however Mr Williams said they "could not care less".
"I called them up and told them, and it was eight days later when I called them back was anything done." Yet with around 60 to 100 megalitres in the channel, it is uncertain what the solution will look like.
When approached, an MI spokesman said only that they "are aware of the issue and are working with the customer."
***
While you're with us, did you know that you can now receive updates straight to your inbox every Monday at 6am from The Area News? To make sure you're up to date with all the Griffith and MIA news you can sign up here.
