Debate over water quality flowing into SA

In parliament on Wednesday last week, Member for Chaffey Tim Whetstone posed questions to Water Minister Susan Close about a 50-gigalitre environmental water flush through the Lower Darling, bound for SA.

"The 50gL of black water, infested with blue-green algae, is headed SA's way, and by all calculations it should be at the border around about now," he said.

"It will go through a treatment plant, yes, but what is the risk to SA river communities? What is the risk to the irrigation communities? What is the risk to livestock? What is the risk to the off-target impacts, whether it be birds or native animals?"

Mr Whetstone expressed his concerns about potential "off-target impacts" from the blackwater, which can deplete water oxygen levels and put fish health at risk, and that SA River Murray communities had not been forewarned.

"The SA Minister for the River Murray has not put safeguards in place - not a word to a river community about the risks that will be posed to the communities including the irrigation community, the livestock producers, the tourists who come to our towns and create an economy; not a word," he said.

"Nothing has been put in to the press, nothing has been put out there to make people aware that she has okayed a management tool, and it just beggars belief.

"Why weren't South Australians warned about the health risks?"

Opposition Primary Industries spokesperson Nicola Centofanti was also concerned about the lack of warning to River Murray communities about the water release.

"The NSW Government has been sending out health warnings because of the smell and danger if the bacteria is consumed by humans or livestock," she said.

"In SA, River Murray communities have no idea this is coming and the last thing we need is people and animals become sick.

"Can Susan Close guarantee that this blue-green algae won't cause any issues in SA waterways and why has Susan Close kept this sludge secret from South Australians?"

In a statement to Stock Journal, a SA government spokesperson said the environmental water release from Menindee Lakes, NSW, was "part of a trial to improve environmental connectivity between the northern and southern parts of the Murray-Darling Basin".

"The release is coordinated by the MDB Authority, the federal agency responsible for managing the resource.

"This means mainly non-toxic blue-green algae currently in the lower Darling River may be flushed into the River Murray and may have some impact on water quality in SA from Saturday (June 8).

"While River Murray water could appear cloudier than usual, and have an odour, is not expected to cause any risks to public health.

"SA Water is currently sampling the lower Darling River to inform water treatment processes and river operations. The ongoing monitoring will inform whether there is any need for future public health warnings.

"The Department for Environment and Water officers are working with the MDBA, environmental water holders and other government agencies on mitigation strategies to minimise water quality impacts in SA.

"This includes mixing and diluting with water released from other storages, varying weir pool levels, and diverting a portion to Lake Victoria."

In parliament, Ms Close said the "trial pulse" would help to address the "low flow and poor water quality" in the Lower Darling River and the Menindee Lakes, which has previously caused "extremely distressing" mass fish deaths in the past.

She acknowledged that the "relatively small amount of water" would be of "very low quality", but understood that it would be "shandied and that it will be managed".

"I have been advised that this is predominantly non-toxic, but that it is likely to cause some odour issues," she said.

"Members can be assured that I will be paying very close attention to the way in which this is managed. It is important that we don't allow Menindee Lakes to see another mass fish death.

"It is equally important that we maintain the water quality in SA, and I will be focusing my attention on that."

Ms Close also highlighted the water quality issues in the Lower Lakes.

"The Department for Health has issued a warning for people to not go into the water, to not drink the water, to not swim in the water," she said.

"These water quality issues do occur from time to time and SA Health, of course, will stand ready as part of the chain of responsibilities should we see any concerning levels of contamination in the water as it comes through.

"I haven't been advised of any negative impacts that are being expected. What I am advised about is the way in which the various departments involved will be monitoring closely and taking remedial action, where possible, should anything arise but not that it is expected to occur.

"Of course, occasionally there are circumstances that occur that suddenly trigger poor water quality that we need to respond to rapidly, as has occurred at the other end of the Murray more recently.

"But the way in which we will be making sure that river communities are well protected is through this process, that is the standard process, where SA Water will continue to be doing the assessment.

"Through the MDB Authority, which is the authority that is undertaking this action, we will be seeking additional environmental water flows so that we can minimise and dilute the amount of algae water that is coming through, and we will take additional appropriate responses, because we will always put the quality of water for Riverland communities and any community dependent on potable water first."