NSW and local Government Agencies are continuing to closely monitor and manage the hypoxic blackwater event in the Lower Darling-Barka River which resulted in mass fish deaths near Menindee last month.
Issuing an update, the Minister for Energy and Climate Change, Penny Sharpe said the town water supply in Menindee and Wentworth remained safe to drink, with testing ongoing to ensure it continued to meet Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.
“River samples tested by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and shared on their website have returned negative results for pesticides, however people swimming in the river are advised to not drink the water and avoid water that has froth or a layer of dirt due to algae detected in samples,” Ms Sharpe said.
“Regarding the level of water in the Lakes, flows are being gradually reduced and adjusted while trying to minimise the risk of water quality deteriorating in different parts of the river,” she said.
“As hypoxic blackwater continues to move downstream, the risk to fish health remains high, but the cooler weather will hopefully assist our efforts.
“The EPA continues to work with councils to ensure the drinking water they supply remains clean and safe for residents,” Ms Sharpe said
She said releases of well-oxygenated water were continuing from Lake Menindee and Lake Pamamaroo to boost dissolved oxygen levels and provide refuge for native fish.
She said regular meetings of the cross Agency working group would continue as the Emergency Operations Centre at Wentworth was stood down.
Ms Sharpe also reaffirmed Government’s commitment to hold an independent inquiry into the fish deaths at Menindee.
“The Minns Government is making progress on finalising the details of the review and will have more to say on this matter soon,” the Minister said.
“It is important we leave no stone unturned in reducing the likelihood of these events happening in the future.”
